Acute bronchiolitis during the COVID-19 pandemic

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eimce.2021.06.005
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01T13:05:54Z
• Authors: Patricia Flores-P...; Nathalia Gerig; Mª Isabel Cabrera...; José L. de Unzuet...; Teresa del Rosal; Cristina Calvo
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus

The autumn and winter bronchiolitis epidemics have virtually disappeared in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objectives were characterised bronchiolitis during fourth quarter of 2020 and the role played by SARS-CoV-2.Prospective multi-centre study performed in Madrid (Spain) between October and December 2020 including all children admitted with acute bronchiolitis. Clinical data were collected and multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses were performed.Thirty-three patients were hospitalised with bronchiolitis during the study period: 28 corresponded to rhinovirus (RV), 4 to SARS-CoV-2, and 1 had both types of infection. SAR-CoV-2 bronchiolitis were comparable to RV bronchiolitis except for a shorter hospital stay. A significant decrease in the admission rate for bronchiolitis was found and no RSV was isolated.SARS-CoV-2 infection rarely causes acute bronchiolitis and it is not associated with a severe clinical course. During COVID-19 pandemic period there was a marked decrease in bronchiolitis cases.