SARS-CoV-2 Related Viral Respiratory Co-Infections: A Narrative Review

Shatizadeh Malekshahi, Somayeh; Farahmand, Mohammad; Choobin, Hamzeh

SARS-CoV-2 Related Viral Respiratory Co-Infections: A Narrative Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the new coronavirus originating from Wuhan, China, responsible for the illness known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early experience and the recent literature have shown that co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with another respiratory virus might occur. Similar symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and COVID-19 represent a challenge for diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy and may modify COVID-19 outcomes.
Materials and Methods: We reviewed the literature on the epidemic pattern and major learning points on important aspects of SARS-CoV-2-related viral respiratory co-infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were used to conduct a comprehensive search.
Results: The circulation of respiratory viruses changed as the COVID‐19 epidemic continues. Phenomena like viral interference, resource competition, and differences in virus-host range might explain why simultaneous viral respiratory infections have seemed to vanish with the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Conclusion: Key research to be conducted during this pandemic should include the simultaneous screening of other respiratory pathogens with many available commercial platforms for transmission containment and appropriate clinical management.

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