Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BackgroundPrevious studies reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroup distribution and timing of RSV season. We aimed to further understand the association by conducting a global-level systematic analysis.MethodsWe compiled published data on RSV seasonality through a systematic literature review, and unpublished data shared by international collaborators. Using annual cumulative proportion (ACP) of RSV-positive cases, we defined RSV season onset and offset as ACP reaching 10% and 90%, respectively. Linear regression models accounting for meteorological factors were constructed to analyze the association of proportion of RSV-A with the corresponding RSV season onset and offset.ResultsWe included 36 study sites from 20 countries, providing data for 179 study-years in 1995-2019. Globally, RSV subgroup distribution was not significantly associated with RSV season onset or offset globally, except for RSV season offset in the tropics in 1 model, possibly by chance. Models that included RSV subgroup distribution and meteorological factors explained only 2%-4% of the variations in timing of RSV season.ConclusionsYear-on-year variations in RSV season onset and offset are not well explained by RSV subgroup distribution or meteorological factors. Factors including population susceptibility, mobility, and viral interference should be examined in future studies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/infdis/jiad192

Type

Journal article

Journal

The Journal of infectious diseases

Publication Date

03/2024

Volume

229

Pages

S25 - S33

Addresses

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Keywords

Respiratory Virus Global Epidemiology Network and the PROMISE Investigators , Humans, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human, Linear Models, Seasons, Viral Interference