%0 Journal Article
%T Ten-year retrospective data analysis reveals frequent respiratory co-infections in hospitalized patients in Augsburg.
%A Krammer M
%A Hoffmann R
%A Ruf HG
%A Neumann AU
%A Traidl-Hoffmann C
%A Goekkaya M
%A Gilles S
%J iScience
%V 27
%N 6
%D 2024 Jun 21
%M 38966568
%F 6.107
%R 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110136
%X Clinical data on the types of respiratory pathogens which are most frequently engaged in respiratory co-infections of children and adults are lacking. We analyzed 10 years of data on a total of over 15,000 tests for 16 viral and bacterial pathogens detected in clinical samples at the University Hospital of Augsburg, Germany. Co-infection frequencies and their seasonal patterns were examined using a proportional distribution model. Co-infections were detected in 7.3% of samples, with a higher incidence in children and males. The incidence of interbacterial and interviral co-infections was higher than expected, whereas bacterial-viral co-infections were less frequent. H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were most frequently involved. Most co-infections occurred in winter, but distinct summer peaks were also observed, which occurred even in children, albeit less pronounced than in adults. Seasonality of respiratory (co-)infections decreased with age. Our results suggest to adjust existing testing strategies during high-incidence periods.