Self-testing for 5 respiratory viruses in adult VACCELERATE volunteers in Germany—a pilot study on multi-pathogen rapid antigen testing to monitor community-acquired acute respiratory infections

Résumé fourni par la source

Background Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common human infections. Diagnostic testing for respiratory pathogens is largely restricted to medical institutions. Self-testing may allow for real-time epidemiological monitoring of ARI pathogens, in particular in individuals not seeking medical attention. Methods Adults from the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry received a test-kit for multiple respiratory antigens, a laminar flow device (LFD) detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus (ADV) from a single nasal swab. During one winter season, participants self-tested upon ARI symptoms, reported LFD result as well as symptoms, vaccination history, and any underlying conditions. Participants who remained without ARI symptoms self-tested on the last day of the study period. Results Between December 7, 2022, and June 2, 2023, 1,429 participants communicated their self-testing results. Of these 1,119 (78.3%) individuals had developed ARI symptoms and self-tested until May 31, 2023. Overall, 359 of 1,119 (32.1%) tests were positive with 17 (1.5%) co-detections, resulting in 377 detected pathogens overall. Thirteen tests (1.2%) were invalid or failed technically, and 747 (66.8%) were negative. The most frequently detected pathogen was SARS-CoV-2 (n = 178; 47.2%) followed by RSV (n = 109; 28.9%) and influenza A virus (n = 74; 19.6%). ADV was detected in 10 (2.7%) and influenza B virus in six (1.6%) samples only. Participants with detection of influenza A virus reported more often cough (91%), fever (59.7%), and myalgia (43.3%) than participants with detection of RSV or SARS-CoV-2. The remaining 310 participants (21.7%) who had not developed ARI symptoms self-tested on June 1, 2023, yielding an RSV point prevalence of 7.1%. Conclusion This study allowed real-time reporting of five endemic ARI pathogens in a citizen science project. Symptom burden was highest in influenza A. Seasonal and off-seasonal RSV detection hint toward relevant RSV circulation in adults all year round.

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