A single-center, two-year, retrospective study of epidemiological characteristics of respiratory tract infections in Changzhou, China.

INTRODUCTION

This was a single-center, retrospective study that analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in the Second People's Hospital of Changzhou from December 2023 to November 2025.

METHODS

Briefly, pharyngeal swabs from 24,380 cases were harvested and subjected to RT-PCR to detect influenza A and B viruses (Flu A and B), adenovirus (ADV), human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).

RESULTS

The total positive rate is 47.00% (11,459/24380). HRV (13.27%) was the predominant pathogen for RTIs, and HRV combined with ADV and other pathogens primarily accounted for co-infections. The overall detection rate of RTIs showed a significant sex-related relevance (χ2 = 17.606, p < 0.001), and the positivity for each of the six respiratory pathogens differed across age groups (p < 0.001). Individuals at 12-17 years (11.97%), 18-45 years (6.83%), 6-11 years (24.14%), <1 year (22.35%), 3-5 years (21.36%), and 6-11 years (27.48%) were more likely to be affected by FluA, FluB, ADV, RSV, HRV, and MP, respectively. In our center, FluA caused seasonal peaks in winter and autumn, and HRV activity peaked in autumn and spring. Infections by the remaining respiratory pathogens were sporadic. Additionally, outpatients were more likely to be affected by RTIs than inpatients. However, this relationship may be reversed for RSV infection and MP infection as age was considered.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, RTIs caused by the six common respiratory pathogens in this local institution were associated with sex, age, seasonality and patient status.