Comparative detection of respiratory pathogens in pediatric and adult patients using a multiplex panel

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has further complicated the epidemiology of respiratory tract infections by altering the circulation patterns of respiratory viruses and exacerbating diagnostic challenges. This study aimed to compare respiratory pathogen profiles between pediatric and adult populations during a period of increased respiratory pathogen activity in 2024, with a focus on co-detection patterns and pathogen identification. We analyzed data from 618 patients who visited Korea University Guro Hospital with acute respiratory symptoms between August and September 2024. Specimens were tested using multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays targeting both viral and bacterial pathogens. Demographic data were extracted from electronic medical records, and statistical analyses were performed to compare the pathogen profiles and co-detection rates between pediatric and adult groups. A total of 245 pediatric patients and 373 adult patients were included. Enterovirus/rhinovirus was the most common finding in pediatric patients (21.0%), whereas severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was most frequently detected in adults (32.9%). Co-detection of multiple pathogens was observed in 35 adult and 39 pediatric cases. In pediatric patients, co-detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and enterovirus/rhinovirus was observed in 5.7% of cases. The prevalence of M pneumoniae was higher in the pediatric cohort, with a male predominance. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was detected in 60 adult cases and 7 pediatric cases. These findings highlight notable age-related differences in the pathogen profiles of acute respiratory infections. This study provides epidemiological data regarding respiratory pathogen detection and co-detection patterns across age groups.