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Association of viral co-infections in outpatients with sars-cov-2 in Ecuador

Abstract:

Introduction: In the presence of SARS-CoV-2 it is of interest to study possible viral co-infections. Objective: The objective of the study was to associate the presence of viral co infections in outpatients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in outpatient settings in Ecuador. Methods: During the period June 2020-December 2021, 257 patients from a hospital were evaluated. Chi-square tests of independence, continuity correction, likelihood ratio, Fisher's exact test and linear by linear association were applied. The analytical intent of the study was hypothesis testing, assuming that there was an association between the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and co-infection with other respiratory infections. Results: Of the 32 patients with co-infection, 59.4 % (N=19) were infected with SARS-CoV-2. While of the 225 patients without co-infection, 69.8 % (N=157) were shown to be positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 10 co-infections evaluated, only four were present in the patients: S. pneumoniae (N=13); HMPVn (N=3); RSV B (N=5); and Rhinovirus 1a (N=11). Chi-square tests showed Chi-square values of approximately 1.4, but with p-values greater than 0.05 in all cases (Pearson=0.236; Continuity correction=0.326; Likelihood ratio=0.245; and Linear by linear association=0.237). Fisher's exact test, showed a p-value of 0.309 in the bilateral case and 0.163 in the unilateral case, both higher than 0.05. Conclusions: Based on the tests performed, there was insufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis and establish a significant association between coinfection and the presence of SARS-CoV-2.