Investigation of respiratory viruses by multiplex PCR method in the community suggested reciprocal virus transmission between children and adults

Abstract The observational study of respiratory virus infection for children has already been reported, but there are few reports that examined both children and adults simultaneously in the community. We performed a multiplex PCR (polymerase-chain reaction) assay of respiratory viruses by using FilmArray respiratory panel version 2.1 for 248 children (under 15 years old) and 5,354 adults (15 years old or older) who were admitted or visited our hospital with respiratory symptoms and/or fever from December 2020 to November 2021. During this period, a seasonal outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus 3 (PI3) was found as well as a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In adults, viruses were detected in 6.8% (364/5,354), and SARS-CoV-2 accounted for 228 cases. Only two cases presented multiple viruses. In children, viruses were detected in 64.9% (161/248), while 75.4% (135/179) were under 5 years old. Multiple viruses were detected in 26 cases, all of which were under 5 years old. SARS-CoV-2 was positive in six children. RSV prevailed both in children and adults simultaneously, while the PI3 outbreak was found first in children, followed by adults three weeks later. Rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) was detected throughout the year with some fluctuation and was mostly found in children under 5 years old and in adults aged between 20s and 30s, which suggested reciprocal virus transmission between the children and the parents.