Abstract
During the Belgian winter and spring season 2022-2023, we
investigated the potential of used paper tissue (UPT) as a non-invasive
sampling method for the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections.
Screening for respiratory pathogens was done using an in-house developed
respiratory panel for simultaneous detection of 22 respiratory viruses
and 7 non-viral pathogens. The method allowed the identification and
typing of respiratory pathogens in symptomatic individuals, as well as
in collective samples taken at a community level. Pathogens that were
identified in nasal swabs could also be detected in concurrent UPT from
the same patient. In all cases that tested positive on an
antigen-detection rapid diagnostic test, the corresponding virus could
be detected in UPT. The collection of UPT could be useful in
epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, as
well as other respiratory pathogens such as influenzavirus, respiratory
syncytial virus, entero/rhinoviruses including EV D68,
parainfluenzaviruses and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Multiple
respiratory pathogens could be detected in UPTs of collectivities,
confirming its applicability for community testing. This is especially
interesting for screening in nursing homes, centers for the disabled,
schools or other settings were taking nasal or nasopharyngeal samples is
cumbersome.
, 
