Respiratory Pathogen Distribution During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

NCT07601126 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HHI-RP-PCR-2026-001
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 537
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate changes in the prevalence and distribution of respiratory pathogens detected by multiplex respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing during and after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study includes 537 patients presenting with respiratory infection symptoms at a tertiary care center. Patients were divided into pandemic-period and post-pandemic-period groups, and respiratory pathogen profiles were compared between the groups. The study investigates the epidemiological impact of COVID-19-related public health measures on respiratory pathogen circulation patterns, including bacterial and viral respiratory infections. The findings may contribute to improved respiratory infection surveillance, diagnostic strategies, and post-pandemic public health preparedness.

Conditions

Viral Respiratory Infection (e.g., Influenza); Bacterial Respiratory Infections

Keywords

Respiratory pathogens; Multiplex PCR; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemic period; Post-pandemic period

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in the prevalence of respiratory pathogens between the pandemic and post-pandemic periods

  The primary outcome is the difference in detection rates of respiratory pathogens identified by multiplex respiratory PCR testing between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period and the post-pandemic period.

  Retrospectively assessed at the time of respiratory PCR testing during the study periods. Pandemic period: March 2020 - May 2023 Post-pandemic period: June 2023 - December 202

Study Arms (2)

Pandemic Period Group

Patients presenting with respiratory infection symptoms who underwent multiplex respiratory PCR testing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic period.

Post-Pandemic Period Group

Patients presenting with respiratory infection symptoms who underwent multiplex respiratory PCR testing during the post-pandemic normalization period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of patients presenting with respiratory infection symptoms who underwent multiplex respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at a tertiary care center during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods. Patients with complete demographic and laboratory data were included in the analysis.

You may qualify if:

• Adults and/or pediatric patients presenting with respiratory infection symptoms
• Patients who underwent multiplex respiratory PCR testing
• Patients with complete demographic and laboratory records
• Patients included during the defined pandemic or post-pandemic study periods

You may not qualify if:

• Incomplete laboratory or demographic data
• Duplicate test records from the same infection episode
• Invalid or inconclusive PCR results
• Patients without respiratory infection symptoms

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hisar Intercontinental Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hisar Intercontinental Hospital

Istanbul, 34768, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (7)

• Poole S, Brendish NJ, Clark TW. SARS-CoV-2 has displaced other seasonal respiratory viruses: Results from a prospective cohort study. J Infect. 2020 Dec;81(6):966-972. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.11.010. Epub 2020 Nov 15.

  PMID: 33207254 RESULT

• Bandeira TJPG, Oliveira ALS, Martins LFP, Matos RM, Santos SRNGD, Lopes MC, Sobreira RTP, Rocha HAL. Molecular detection of respiratory viruses: an observational study on respiratory co-infections in children and adults. Braz J Microbiol. 2025 Mar;56(1):537-543. doi: 10.1007/s42770-024-01581-x. Epub 2024 Dec 17.

  PMID: 39690324 RESULT

• Le Hingrat Q, Bouzid D, Choquet C, Laurent O, Lescure FX, Timsit JF, Houhou-Fidouh N, Casalino E, Lucet JC, Descamps D, Visseaux B. Viral epidemiology and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections with other respiratory viruses during the first COVID-19 wave in Paris, France. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2021 Jul;15(4):425-428. doi: 10.1111/irv.12853. Epub 2021 Apr 4.

  PMID: 33817971 RESULT

• Olsen SJ, Azziz-Baumgartner E, Budd AP, Brammer L, Sullivan S, Pineda RF, Cohen C, Fry AM. Decreased influenza activity during the COVID-19 pandemic-United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, 2020. Am J Transplant. 2020 Dec;20(12):3681-3685. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16381.

  PMID: 33264506 RESULT

• Yam SLS, Baguio JMJ, Chan RWY. Pediatric Respiratory Viral Infection. Viruses. 2024 May 6;16(5):733. doi: 10.3390/v16050733.

  PMID: 38793615 RESULT

• Agca H, Akalin H, Saglik I, Hacimustafaoglu M, Celebi S, Ener B. Changing epidemiology of influenza and other respiratory viruses in the first year of COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Public Health. 2021 Sep;14(9):1186-1190. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2021.08.004. Epub 2021 Aug 8.

  PMID: 34399190 RESULT

• Agha R, Avner JR. Delayed Seasonal RSV Surge Observed During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Pediatrics. 2021 Sep;148(3):e2021052089. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-052089. Epub 2021 Jun 9. No abstract available.

  PMID: 34108234 RESULT

Related Links

• Official website of the sponsoring institution where the retrospective multiplex respiratory PCR study was conducted.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Influenza, Human

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Director of Clinical Laboratories

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 13, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2024
• Study Completion: December 30, 2024
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)