{
  "abstract": "Objectives Globally, the circulation of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to determine the trends of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSVs) in patients presenting to hospitals in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) (Laos).Design Prospective surveillance study.Setting Four provincial hospitals across Laos between March 2021 and July 2023.Participants Participants of all ages who met our case definition for an ARI (axillary temperature ≥37.5°C or history of fever AND cough or other respiratory symptoms/signs OR loss of smell and/or taste) presenting to the hospital less than 10 days after symptom onset were eligible to be enrolled in the study. Combined nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and human RSV (hRSV) using probe-based real-time RT (Reverse transcription)-PCR assays.Primary outcome measure The proportion of patients in whom SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV was detected.Results There were 4203 patients recruited, of whom 898 (21%) were children aged under 5 years. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 16.9% of patients, followed by influenza A, influenza B and hRSV (8.4%, 7.2% and 4.7%, respectively). 98 patients (2.3%) were diagnosed with probable co-infection, with at least two viruses detected. After May 2022, the number of cases of influenza A, influenza B and hRSV increased rapidly. Six per cent of patients (263) had a quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of ≥2, and 34 (0.8%) patients died, of whom 11 tested positive for a respiratory virus.Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic in Laos, few respiratory viruses were detected by passive surveillance until the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented for infection control. After restrictions were lifted, influenza A, influenza B and hRSV emerged rapidly, showing the importance of continuous surveillance.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Koukeo Phommasone"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Danoy Chommanam"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit INDOPACIFIC, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Nathaniel C Christy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Touxiong Yiaye"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Soulichanya Phoutthavong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Patsalin Keomoukda"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Sompong Thammavong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Thipsavanh Bounphiengsy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Thongsavanh Lathsachack"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Latsaniphone Boutthasavong"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Vayouly Vidhamaly"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Bountoy Sibounheuang"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Ooyanong Phonemixay"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Siribun Panapruksachat"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Xiengkhouang Provincial Hospital, Phonsavan District, Xiengkhouang Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Viladeth Praphasiri"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Salavan Provincial Hospital, Salavan Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Sommay Keomany"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Attapeu Provincial Hospital, Attapeu Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Bounthavy Chaleunphon"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Luang Namtha Provincial Hospital, Luang Namtha Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Phouvieng Douangdala"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic",
        "Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Matthew T Robinson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK",
        "Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand"
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth M Batty"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Manivanh Vongsouvath"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "PraesensBio, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Michael R Wiley"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Jessica D Wiley"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "PraesensBio, LLC, Omaha, Nebraska, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Ryan C Chapman"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit INDOPACIFIC, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Andrew G Letizia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Mayfong Mayxay"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic"
      ],
      "name": "Audrey Dubot-Pérès"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Microbiology Laboratory, Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic",
        "Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth A Ashley"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus dynamics in Lao PDR during the COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital-based surveillance study",
  "uid": "ec63bc9f-5072-53c4-a4bc-33cd3af0206c"
}