Three-Year Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Surveillance of Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults and Seasonal Patterns.

Authors

Ling Xue, Yuhui Ye, Yuanxiang Li

Published in

Intervirology. Nov 13, 2026. Epub Nov 13, 2026.

Abstract

This study investigated the aetiological composition, seasonal variation and risk factors of adult respiratory tract infections in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, during 2023-2025.
A total of 8,493 adults (≥18 years) with respiratory symptoms were enrolled from a tertiary hospital during 2023-2025. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs were tested using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) panels targeting six categories of seven respiratory pathogens: influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus types I and III, adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Mixed infections (two or more pathogens) were reported separately. Data were analysed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression.
The overall pathogen detection rate was 4.14% (352/8,493), comprising 325 single infections (92.33%) and 27 mixed infections (7.67%). Among single infections, M. pneumoniae (39.69%), influenza A virus (28.00%) and RSV (16.00%) predominated. Infections peaked in winter-spring (December-March). Age ≥65 years (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.78-3.09), underlying diseases (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.89-3.08) and emergency department admission (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.24-2.01) were independent risk factors.
Adult respiratory infections in Ganzhou show clear winter-spring seasonality, with M. pneumoniae, influenza A virus and RSV as leading pathogens. These findings support seasonally targeted surveillance - with enhanced monitoring for M. pneumoniae and influenza during winter-spring months - and prioritised vaccination, expanded diagnostic panels and early PCR-based diagnosis for adults aged ≥65 years and those with underlying diseases, thereby strengthening local respiratory infection prevention and control strategies.

PMID:
43023605
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Nov 2026.

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