Characteristics of human coronavirus infection in acute respiratory infection cases in Shanghai, 2015–2019

  Objective   To understand the infection status of human coronavirus (HCoV) in acute respiratory infection cases in Shanghai, and provide scientific basis for prevention and control of human infection with coronavirus.

  Methods   A total of 3 531 samples were collected through acute respiratory infection surveillance in Shanghai from 2015 to 2019, and multiplex PCR technology was used to detect common respiratory viruses.

  Results   In the 3 531 samples, the virus detection rate was 39.73% (1 403/3 531). The detection rate of HCoV was 3.14% (111/3 531), ranking 3^rd after the detection rates of influenza virus and rhinovirus/enteric virus. The spread subtypes were mainly HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-NL63. Different subtypes of HCoV spread alternately in the population every year. The incidence of co-infection was as high as 36.93% (41/111), and the proportion of co-infection in severe cases was high.

  Conclusion   HCoV is an important pathogen of acute respiratory tract infection in Shanghai. It is necessary to strengthen the etiological surveillance in acute respiratory tract infection cases, especially the co-infection of HCoV and other pathogens.