Viral Coinfection among COVID-19 Patient Groups: An Update Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background. Coinfections have a potential role in increased morbidity and mortality rates during pandemics. Our investigation is aimed at evaluating the viral coinfection prevalence in COVID-19 patients. Methods. We systematically searched scientific databases, including Medline, Scopus, WOS, and Embase, from December 1, 2019, to December 30, 2020. Preprint servers such as medRxiv were also scanned to find other related preprint papers. All types of studies evaluating the viral coinfection prevalence in COVID-19 patients were considered. We applied the random effects model to pool all of the related studies. Results. Thirty-three studies including 10484 patients were identified. The viral coinfection estimated pooled prevalence was 12.58%; 95% CI: 7.31 to 18.96). Blood viruses (pooled prevalence: 12.48%; 95% CI: 8.57 to 16.93) had the most frequent viral coinfection, and respiratory viruses (pooled prevalence: 4.32%; 95% CI: 2.78 to 6.15) had less frequent viral coinfection. The herpesvirus pooled prevalence was 11.71% (95% CI: 3.02 to 24.80). Also, the maximum and minimum of viral coinfection pooled prevalence were in AMRO and EMRO with 15.63% (95% CI: 3.78 to 33.31) and 7.05% (95% CI: 3.84 to 11.07), respectively. Conclusion. The lowest rate of coinfection belonged to respiratory viruses. Blood-borne viruses had the highest coinfection rate. Our results provide important data about the prevalence of blood-borne viruses among COVID-19 patients which can be critical when it comes to their treatment procedure.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years Hospitalized with COVID-19 — Six Hospitals, United States, July–August 2021

“…These data highlight the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for those aged ≥5 years and other prevention strategies to protect children and adolescents from COVID-19, particularly those with obesity and other underlying health conditions. Further research and surveillance for viral coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients can inform public health and capacity planning (10).…”

Performance evaluation of STANDARD Q COVID‐19 Ag home test for the diagnosis of COVID‐19 during early symptom onset

“…It is also vital to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 as early as possible since SARS‐CoV‐2 may be coinfected with other microbial pathogens. 2 Infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 may alter the human's microbiota, which further may affect the immune system. 3 Based on a systematic review, 4 a high prevalence of pathogenic microorganism was found among COVID‐19 patients.…”

“…The detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 is the first step in assessing cases. It is also vital to detect SARS‐CoV‐2 as early as possible since SARS‐CoV‐2 may be coinfected with other microbial pathogens 2 . Infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 may alter the human's microbiota, which further may affect the immune system 3 .…”

Evaluation of conventional and point‐of‐care real‐time RT‐PCR tests for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 through a pooled testing strategy

“… 3 Mass testing against SARS‐CoV‐2 and in some circumstances alone with other bacterial, viral, or fungal microbiota is also encouraged for a wide range of COVID‐19 control measures, such as screening for community transmission 4 and evaluation for disease progression of COVID‐19 patients with/without coinfection of other microbial agents. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 …”