Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in an Italian pediatric cohort: genomic analysis and circulation pattern in the season 2022-2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in an Italian pediatric cohort: genomic analysis and circulation pattern in the season 2022-2023 | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Journal of Medical Virology This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 26 July 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in an Italian pediatric cohort: genomic analysis and circulation pattern in the season 2022-2023 Authors : A. Lai 0000-0002-3174-5721 [email protected] , Annalisa Bergna 0000-0003-1653-1917 , Valentina Fabiano , Carla Della Ventura , Hanin Chmes , Alice Romero , Martina Loiodice , … Show All … , Angela Maria Dolores Boria , Alessandro Campagnoli , Felicia Stefania Falvella , Alberto Dolci , Gianvincenzo Zuccotti , and Gianguglielmo Zehender 0000-0002-1886-2915 Show Fewer Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175351685.56636654/v1 Published Journal of Medical Virology Version of record Peer review timeline 299 views 157 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Background There is growing interest in the molecular surveillance of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and data concerning the virus molecular epidemiology in high-risk pediatric patients in Italy are still limited. Methods A total of 127 RSV positive swabs collected in 2022-2023 season were analysed. Whole genomes were obtained by next generation sequencing and used for phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses. Results A large proportion of the subjects had required hospitalization (78%) and age of hospitalised subjects was significantly lower than that of non-hospitalised (69 vs. 129 days; p<.0001 ). Genomic analysis suggested a significant increase in nucleotide variability in recent samples compared to previous waves and especially in subtype A. Phylogenetic analysis identified 14 and 16 clades including Italian strains in RSV-A and B, respectively. Italian strains tended to group together forming monophyletic groups, 9 in RSV-A and 13 in RSV-B, probably representing local chains of transmission. A few of those pure Italian subclades began in 21-22 wave and persisted for more than one year. For both subtypes the skyline plot showed two peaks in transmissions, the first between 2017 and 2019, followed by a temporary reduction in 2021 coinciding with the widespread use of control measures against COVID-19 and the second at the beginning of 2023. Accordingly, the Re estimates showed fluctuating values. Conclusions This study suggests that the large circulation of RSV following pandemic restrictions is partly due to the introduction of viral strains already circulating across Europe, and partly to strains that persist in our region from one season to the next. Supplementary Material File (paper_rsv_def_biblio.docx) Download 261.70 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 26 July 2025 Peer review timeline Published Journal of Medical Virology Version of Record 23 Oct 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Journal of Medical Virology Keywords epidemiology evolution genetic variability genetics mutation respiratory syncytial virus virus classification Authors Affiliations A. Lai 0000-0002-3174-5721 [email protected] University of Milan View all articles by this author Annalisa Bergna 0000-0003-1653-1917 University of Milan View all articles by this author Valentina Fabiano University of Milan View all articles by this author Carla Della Ventura University of Milan View all articles by this author Hanin Chmes University of Milan View all articles by this author Alice Romero University of Milan View all articles by this author Martina Loiodice University of Milan View all articles by this author Angela Maria Dolores Boria Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco View all articles by this author Alessandro Campagnoli Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco View all articles by this author Felicia Stefania Falvella Aziende Socio Sanitarie Territoriale Fatebenefratelli Sacco View all articles by this author Alberto Dolci University of Milan View all articles by this author Gianvincenzo Zuccotti University of Milan View all articles by this author Gianguglielmo Zehender 0000-0002-1886-2915 University of Milan View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 299 views 157 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation A. Lai, Annalisa Bergna, Valentina Fabiano, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in an Italian pediatric cohort: genomic analysis and circulation pattern in the season 2022-2023. Authorea . 26 July 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175351685.56636654/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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