Seasonal distribution and clinical correlation of multiple pathogens in pediatric acute respiratory infections in Nanhai District, Foshan City
Wang Aihong, Wang Xiaoping, Zhang Yuchun, Huang Juzhen
1.Department of General Pediatrics, Nahai District People's Hospital of Foshan City/the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangdong, Foshan 528200, China; 2.Department of Public Health, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of South China University of Technology, Guangdong, Foshan 528200, China
Objective To investigate the seasonal distribution, age characteristics, co-infection patterns, and clinical phenotype correlations of human adenovirus (HAdV), human rhinovirus (HRV), influenza A virus (InfA), mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza B virus (InfB) among
children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Nanhai District, Foshan City. Methods A retrospective
analysis was performed on nasopharyngeal swab samples from 3 705 outpatient, emergency, and hospitalized pediatric patients (aged 28 days to 14 years) admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Nahai District People's Hospital of Foshan City from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025. Pathogen detection was conducted using multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) technology. Population
distribution, detection rates, seasonal trends, co-infection patterns, and associations with clinical phenotypes were statistically analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results The age distribution showed that ARI children aged 1-3 years accounted for the highest proportion (36.14%), with significant seasonal differences in the number of samples submitted (χ2=74.200, P<0.001). The overall pathogen detection rate was 38.84%, presenting a seasonal trend of summer (60.07%)> autumn (37.94%)> spring (30.05%)> winter (21.67%). HAdV infection has a high incidence in summer (16.01%), HRV infection has a high incidence in autumn (12.56%), InfA infection has a high incidence in winter (8.57%), MP infection has a high incidence in summer (31.03%), RSV infection has a high incidence in spring (3.32%), and InfB infection showed no seasonal variation. The co-infection rate was 2.51% peaking in summer (3.78%), predominantly involving HAdV+MP infection (1.53%) in summer and HRV+MP infection (1.40%) in autumn. Clinical correlation analysis revealed strong associations of MP with bronchopneumonia (χ2=187.840, P<0.001) and HAdV with upper respiratory tract infection (χ2=59.210, P<0.001), while InfA with acute bronchitis (χ2=35.790, P<0.001), RSV with bronchopneumonia (χ2=25.810, P<0.001), and HRV with both acute bronchitis and bronchopneumonia (χ2=8.500, P=0.014) showed weaker associations. Conclusion The six respiratory pathogens exhibited distinct seasonal peaks among children in Nanhai District, Foshan City. Co-infections were concentrated in summer, and children aged 1-3 years were the most susceptible population. This study revealed strong specific associations between MP and bronchopneumonia, as well as HAdV and upper respiratory tract infection, providing important local epidemiological evidence for the surveillance of pediatric ARI, formulation of vaccination strategies, and clinical interventions.
2026, Vol. 14 
