Universität zu Köln

Nacov, Julia A. ORCID: 0000-0002-5327-2937, Salmanton-García, Jon ORCID: 0000-0002-6766-8297, Grimm, Sarah ORCID: 0000-0001-7680-0344, Stewart, Fiona A. ORCID: 0000-0002-1029-5768, Cremer, Louise M. ORCID: 0009-0002-1425-7352, Rochel, Lisa Marie ORCID: 0009-0007-7340-6086, Müller, Erik ORCID: 0009-0005-4870-8862, Joisten, Carolin ORCID: 0000-0001-8615-9730, Többen, Christina ORCID: 0000-0003-1185-1583, Mechtel, Ben ORCID: 0009-0000-8251-8097, Fleig, Julian, Bethe, Ullrich ORCID: 0000-0001-9979-1671, Mellinghoff, Sibylle C. ORCID: 0000-0003-3928-2503, Pana, Zoi D. ORCID: 0000-0002-5893-1081, Schmitt, Heinz-Josef ORCID: 0000-0002-0378-5697, Cornely, Oliver A. ORCID: 0000-0001-9599-3137 and Stemler, Jannik ORCID: 0000-0001-9152-2469 (2025). Self-testing for 5 respiratory viruses in adult VACCELERATE volunteers in Germany—a pilot study on multi-pathogen rapid antigen testing to monitor community-acquired acute respiratory infections. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. pp. 1-9. Frontiers. ISSN 2296-2565

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Abstract

[Artilel-Nr. 1638280] Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common human infections. Diagnostic testing for respiratory pathogens is largely restricted to medical institutions. Self-testing may allow for real-time epidemiological monitoring of ARI pathogens, in particular in individuals not seeking medical attention. Methods: Adults from the VACCELERATE Volunteer Registry received a test-kit for multiple respiratory antigens, a laminar flow device (LFD) detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus (ADV) from a single nasal swab. During one winter season, participants self-tested upon ARI symptoms, reported LFD result as well as symptoms, vaccination history, and any underlying conditions. Participants who remained without ARI symptoms self-tested on the last day of the study period. Results: Between December 7, 2022, and June 2, 2023, 1,429 participants communicated their self-testing results. Of these 1,119 (78.3%) individuals had developed ARI symptoms and self-tested until May 31, 2023. Overall, 359 of 1,119 (32.1%) tests were positive with 17 (1.5%) co-detections, resulting in 377 detected pathogens overall. Thirteen tests (1.2%) were invalid or failed technically, and 747 (66.8%) were negative. The most frequently detected pathogen was SARS-CoV-2 ( n = 178; 47.2%) followed by RSV ( n = 109; 28.9%) and influenza A virus ( n = 74; 19.6%). ADV was detected in 10 (2.7%) and influenza B virus in six (1.6%) samples only. Participants with detection of influenza A virus reported more often cough (91%), fever (59.7%), and myalgia (43.3%) than participants with detection of RSV or SARS-CoV-2. The remaining 310 participants (21.7%) who had not developed ARI symptoms self-tested on June 1, 2023, yielding an RSV point prevalence of 7.1%. Conclusion: This study allowed real-time reporting of five endemic ARI pathogens in a citizen science project. Symptom burden was highest in influenza A. Seasonal and off-seasonal RSV detection hint toward relevant RSV circulation in adults all year round.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Nacov, Julia A. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5327-2937 UNSPECIFIED Salmanton-García, Jon UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6766-8297 UNSPECIFIED Grimm, Sarah UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7680-0344 UNSPECIFIED Stewart, Fiona A. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1029-5768 UNSPECIFIED Cremer, Louise M. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1425-7352 UNSPECIFIED Rochel, Lisa Marie UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7340-6086 UNSPECIFIED Müller, Erik UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4870-8862 UNSPECIFIED Joisten, Carolin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8615-9730 UNSPECIFIED Többen, Christina UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1185-1583 UNSPECIFIED Mechtel, Ben UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8251-8097 UNSPECIFIED Fleig, Julian UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Bethe, Ullrich UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9979-1671 UNSPECIFIED Mellinghoff, Sibylle C. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3928-2503 UNSPECIFIED Pana, Zoi D. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5893-1081 UNSPECIFIED Schmitt, Heinz-Josef UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0378-5697 UNSPECIFIED Cornely, Oliver A. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9599-3137 UNSPECIFIED Stemler, Jannik UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9152-2469 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-799136
Identification Number:	10.3389/fpubh.2025.1638280
Journal or Publication Title:	Frontiers in Public Health
Volume:	13
Page Range:	pp. 1-9
Date:	3 September 2025
Publisher:	Frontiers
ISSN:	2296-2565
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	CECAD - Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases Faculty of Medicine > Innere Medizin > Klinik I für Innere Medizin - Hämatologie und Onkologie Faculty of Medicine > Weitere > Zentrum für Klinische Studien
Subjects:	Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language incidence English point prevalence English surveillance English SARS-CoV-2 English influenza, RSV, ADV English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79913