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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Development of Multiplex Real-Time RT-qPCR Assays for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and MERS-CoV
Published on: November 10, 2023
The Concurrent Identification of SARS-Cov-2 and Influenza A/B Viruses in Nasopharyngeal Swabs Using Multiplex
Khodaei Hannan1, Yari Mohammad Ehsan2, Ardehali Seyed Hossein3
1Pediatric Infections Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
Respiratory viral infections vary in their clinical presentation, treatment approaches and outcomes. Therefore, accurate, timely and cost-effective detection of key pathogens, particularly SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B, which are among the most common causes of respiratory infections, is crucial. This study aimed to identify the presence of COVID-19 and influenza A/B, as well as their co-occurrence, in hospitalized pediatric patients presenting with respiratory viral infections symptoms.
Materials & Methods:
Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from pediatric patients admitted to Mofid Children's Hospital in Tehran, Iran who exhibited symptoms of viral respiratory infections. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B was achieved using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following total RNA extraction of samples. Data regarding symptoms and other pertinent information about the patients were collected via a questionnaire.
Results:
A total of 2,353 hospitalized children in this study, ranging from under one year old to 18 years old. Of these 43% were female and 57% male. Fever was the most commonly reported symptom. The results of the multiplex real-time PCR were positive in 8% of cases, including 55% for COVID-19, 8.5% forinfluenza A, 26% for influenza B, and 10.5% for co-infections.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest a decline in seasonal influenza incidence compared to previous years, potentially due to the improved personal protection measures during to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the presence of co-infection in this study is important and this co-infection should be considered in treatment and diagnostic systems in respiratory infection by physicians. Importantly, the presence of co-infections highlights the need for clinicians to consider dual pathogen involvement in diagnosis and treatment strategies for respiratory infections.
