Epidemiological Analysis of Respiratory Virus Circulation in Children in Moscow

The relevance of this study is driven by the high incidence of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) among children, the significant impact of these infections on the healthcare system, and the need for a detailed examination of their seasonal patterns and etiological profiles. Despite the large number of studies in this field, new characteristics of viral agent circulation continue to be identified, necessitating ongoing monitoring and data updates. This study focuses on the etiological profile and seasonal dynamics of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) in children in the Moscow region from December 2023 to November 2024. A total of 2,255 nasal and oropharyngeal swabs from patients were analyzed, collected within the first 72 hours after symptom onset. The multiplex PCR method enabled the identification of a broad spectrum of ARVI pathogens and their prevalence across different seasons. The study results indicate that rhinovirus (54%) is the most common ARVI pathogen in children, exhibiting a high prevalence and distinct seasonal dynamics. This virus circulates year-round but demonstrates peak activity in the autumn-winter period, particularly in September, at the beginning of the school year, and in February, during seasonal immune decline. It is followed by respiratory syncytial virus (11%), metapneumovirus (9%), and coronaviruses (10%). A pronounced seasonal dependence of morbidity was observed, with peaks in the autumn-winter period, especially in December, February, and September. The frequency of co-infections was 6%, with the most common combinations involving rhinovirus and other viruses: metapneumovirus (15%), respiratory syncytial virus (12%), coronaviruses NL63 and E229 (11%), parainfluenza viruses (9%), and adenoviruses (7%). The findings highlight the need for enhanced epidemiological control during the autumn-winter period, the development of effective preventive strategies, and the implementation of more accurate diagnostic methods. Monitoring the circulation of viral agents among children is crucial for improving approaches to ARVI treatment and prevention, ultimately reducing the infectious burden and the number of severe disease cases.