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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pediatric influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Lombardy, Northern Italy, during seven consecutive winter seasons (from 2014-2015 to 2020-2021)
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  • Laura Pellegrinelli,
  • Cristina Galli,
  • Laura Bubba,
  • Arlinda Seiti,
  • Giovanni Anselmi,
  • Valeria Primache,
  • Lucia Signorini,
  • Serena Delbue,
  • Sandro Binda,
  • Elena Pariani
Laura Pellegrinelli
University of Milan

Corresponding Author:laura.pellegrinelli@unimi.it

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Cristina Galli
University of Milan
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Laura Bubba
University of Milan
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Arlinda Seiti
University of Milan
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Giovanni Anselmi
University of Milan
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Valeria Primache
University of Milan
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Lucia Signorini
University of Milan
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Serena Delbue
University of Milan
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Sandro Binda
University of Milan
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Elena Pariani
University of Milan
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Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract illness in young children and can also cause influenza-like illness (ILI). Here we investigated the epidemiological features of RSV infection in pediatric ILI cases in Lombardy (a region in Northern Italy accounting nearly 10-million inhabitants) from 2014-2015 to 2020-2021 winter seasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Data for this study were retrieved and statistically analyzed from the database of virological influenza surveillance of the regional reference laboratory for Lombardy within the Italian influenza surveillance network (InfluNet). RESULTS. RSV accounting for nearly 19% of pediatric ILI with a risk of infection nearly 2-fold greater than that of individuals ≥15 years. The RSV positivity rate increased to 28% considering 0-5 years old children. Although in children ≤5 years the risk of infection from influenza viruses resulted nearly 2-fold higher than the risk of RSV infection, the age group 4-6 months and 7-12 months showed 5-fold greater risk of infection from RSV than from influenza. Children ≤5 years of age with presence of one or more comorbidities had a nearly 5-fold greater risk of getting RSV infection than otherwise healthy 0-5 years old children. DISCUSSION. The use of the ILI sentinel surveillance allowed us to identify groups at higher risk of RSV and influenza infection and to define the start, duration, timing and intensity of the RSV and influenza community circulation, determining thresholds based on historical data. This surveillance approach can be implemented to assess the nearly real-time RSV circulation and impact.
15 Oct 2021Submitted to Influenza and other respiratory viruses
16 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
16 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
27 Oct 20211st Revision Received
29 Oct 2021Submission Checks Completed
29 Oct 2021Assigned to Editor
04 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
May 2022Published in Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses volume 16 issue 3 on pages 481-491. 10.1111/irv.12940