May 1, 2020

Co-infection in SARS-CoV-2 infected Patients: Where Are Influenza Virus and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus?

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Recent case reports suggest that people co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses (such as influenza virus and seasonal coronaviruses) may have higher morbidity and mortality. However, Nowak et al. found that co-infection was uncommon. In a retrospective review of laboratory results from 8 inpatient and associated outpatient facilities in the greater New York City metropolitan area, they found that 3% (36/1,204) of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were concurrently infected with non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens, compared to 13% (111/845) of patients who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Nowak et al. (Apr 30, 2020). Co-infection in SARS-CoV-2 infected Patients: Where Are Influenza Virus and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus? Journal of Medical Virology.  https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25953