Epidemiological characteristics of six respiratory pathogens in Putuo District of Shanghai from 2023 to 2024.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens in Putuo District, Shanghai, to provide evidence for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of respiratory infections.

METHODS

We collected laboratory data from 6558 patients hospitalized with respiratory infections at Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, between March 2023 and June 2024. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS software and Join-point regression models to determine epidemic trends, identify inflection points, and calculate monthly percentage changes for each respiratory pathogen.

RESULTS

The overall detection rate of the six pathogens was 23.39% (1534/6558). Single-pathogen infections accounted for 93.55% (1435/1534) of the cases, whereas mixed infections represented 6.45% (99/1534). Influenza A virus (FLUA) was the most prevalent pathogen (44.59%, 684/1534), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP; 17.01%, 261/1534) and human rhinovirus (HRV; 15.97%, 245/1534). The FLUA incidence significantly varied across age groups (p < 0.05). Significant seasonal variations in detection rates were observed (p < 0.05), with the highest rate occurring in winter (32.90%, 504/1532). When analyzed by month, March 2023 presented the peak detection rate (48.23%, 150/311).

CONCLUSIONS

From March 2023 to June 2024, FLUA presented the highest infection rate among respiratory pathogens in Putuo District, Shanghai. Susceptibility to respiratory pathogens was significantly associated with age, season, and month of infection. Older adults demonstrated particular vulnerability to FLUA infections. Winter and autumn emerged as the peak seasons for respiratory infections.