Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease最新文献

{"title":"Significance of parvovirus B19 infection in childhood - collection of demographic data, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and the impact on patients with hemolytic anemia","authors":"Lorraine Lawatsch ,&nbsp;Michael Baier ,&nbsp;Till Milde ,&nbsp;Bernd Gruhn","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Parvovirus B19 is a known cause of erythema infectiosum, aplastic crises and severe anemia, especially in patients with hemolytic anemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and diagnostic parameters of parvovirus B19 infection in children with and without hemolytic anemia and to record the course of case numbers in recent years.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We retrospectively included all patients diagnosed with acute parvovirus B19 infection at the Department of Pediatrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany between 2016 and 2024. Diagnosis was confirmed by positive parvovirus B19 IgM serology and/or PCR testing. Both demographic and clinical data as well as diagnostic parameters were collected and analyzed, focusing on differences between children with and without underlying hemolytic anemia.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 40 pediatric patients included in this study, 14 patients were diagnosed with hemolytic anemia. Children with hemolytic anemia suffered from a significantly greater hemoglobin drop and a significantly higher need for transfusion compared to children without hemolytic anemia. A Poisson regression model, adjusted for observation time, was used to compare case rates between 2016 and 2022 and 2023-2024.The model demonstrated a more than fivefold increase in parvovirus B19 cases in 2023-2024 compared to 2016-2022.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Children with hemolytic anemia, such as spherocytosis, are at higher risk of severe anemia and require more frequently transfusions during acute parvovirus B19 infection. The observed increase in cases after 2022 suggests changing epidemiological patterns and highlights the need for careful surveillance and early diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in affected children.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145965125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From pandemic influenza to novel coronaviruses: emerging infectious diseases of the 21st century","authors":"Sijo Asokan ,&nbsp;Isiaka Ismaila Damilare ,&nbsp;Sunil Kumar ,&nbsp;Rohan Kumar Pandey ,&nbsp;Gaurav Verma ,&nbsp;Nilotpal Banerjee ,&nbsp;Guhanraj Radhamanalan ,&nbsp;Smitha Vijayan ,&nbsp;Teena Jacob ,&nbsp;Divya Rajeswary","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Emerging infectious diseases have risen significantly in the twenty-first century as ecological disruption, climate change, expanding human–animal interfaces, and global mobility intensify opportunities for pathogen transmission. This review synthesizes historical and contemporary evidence across viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic threats to characterize how diverse pathogens emerge and spread. Foundational events such as the 1918 influenza pandemic, mid-century influenza pandemics, the emergence of HIV/AIDS, and the eradication of smallpox provide context for understanding modern disease dynamics. In recent decades, coronaviruses including SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, pandemic H1N1, avian influenza subtypes, and major arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, West Nile virus, and yellow fever have demonstrated the rapidity with which zoonotic pathogens can disseminate globally. Viral hemorrhagic fevers including Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever remain critical threats, especially in regions with limited health-care capacity. Concurrently, antimicrobial resistance, the emergence of <em>Candida auris</em>, and the climate-driven expansion of endemic mycoses involving <em>Histoplasma, Coccidioides</em>, and <em>Blastomyces</em> highlight the increasing importance of fungal pathogens. Parasitic diseases such as artemisinin-resistant malaria, zoonotic trypanosomiasis, and expanding Leishmania transmission reflect shifting ecological conditions. These patterns are shaped by intersecting drivers including deforestation, wildlife trade, agricultural intensification, urban crowding, conflict, and rapid microbial evolution that enable spillover and sustained transmission. Although advances in genomic surveillance, metagenomic diagnostics, mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and broad-spectrum antivirals have strengthened global response capacity, substantial gaps persist in equity, surveillance, and access to countermeasures. Strengthening One Health systems and resilient public health infrastructures is essential to anticipate and mitigate emerging infectious threats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117277"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146017815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Achieving 24-hour reporting turnaround for clinical surveillance detection of eight carbapenemase genes using combined multiplex molecular assays","authors":"Majie C. Foster,&nbsp;Kailee Cummings,&nbsp;Mohammad Y. Khan,&nbsp;Janine Bodnar,&nbsp;Christine Jacobsen,&nbsp;Kara Miller,&nbsp;Nicola Faraci,&nbsp;Shannon Morris,&nbsp;Catharine Prussing,&nbsp;Elizabeth Nazarian,&nbsp;Kimberlee A. Musser","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbapenemase-producing organisms, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, <em>Acinetobacter</em> and <em>Pseudomonas</em> species, contribute to over 49,000 infections and &gt;4,000 deaths annually in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends surveillance using dual swab testing.</div><div>While a culture-first approach is routinely utilized for carbapenemase-producing organism screening, results require 3 workdays or more. In contrast, Wadsworth Center employs a molecular-first algorithm, combining the Cepheid Xpert Carba-R assay with laboratory developed test multiplex PCR. Using shared reagents for efficiency and specimen preservation, this method detects the most prevalent carbapenemase genes, <em>bla</em>_KPC, <em>bla</em>_NDM, <em>bla</em>_VIM, <em>bla</em>_OXA-48-like, and <em>bla</em>_IMP, as well as <em>Acinetobacter baumannii</em>-associated genes, <em>bla</em>_OXA-23-like, <em>bla</em>_{OXA-24/40-like}, and <em>bla</em>_OXA-58-like, and produces actionable results in less than one workday. Wadsworth Center’s rapid carbapenemase-producing organism colonization screening algorithm supports prompt healthcare protocol initiation and epidemiological response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aspergillus fumigatus brain abscess in an immunocompromised patient receiving a second-generation Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor (BTKi)","authors":"Marios Lampros ,&nbsp;Eleni Romeo ,&nbsp;Christos Kittas ,&nbsp;Georgios Kafritsas ,&nbsp;George A. Alexiou ,&nbsp;Spyridon Voulgaris","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a frequent type of adult leukemia. Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors (BTKi) are first-line treatments for CLL. Despite being efficient, BTKi have also been associated with significant side effects, including arrhythmias, hemorrhagic complications, and opportunistic infections. Zanubrutinib is a second-generation BTKi that recently received FDA approval for CLL and is associated with improved outcomes and a better safety profile compared to first-generation BTKi. In the present study, we report a case of a patient with CLL, with an in-range absolute neutrophil count and an isolated <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> brain abscess mimicking a brain tumor. The lesion was excised \"en bloc\", and lesion cultures revealed <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> sensitive to amphotericin and voriconazole. The patient received postoperative treatment with voriconazole. While invasive fungal infections with brain involvement have been previously reported, to our knowledge, this is the first documented case of an isolated <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> brain abscess in a patient receiving zanubrutinib.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117270"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145997601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retrospective study of Acanthamoeba keratitis: Three-year experience with an integrated clinical and diagnostic workflow","authors":"Margherita Ortalli ,&nbsp;Antonio Moramarco ,&nbsp;Piera Versura ,&nbsp;Giovanna Liguori ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Russello ,&nbsp;Simone Ambretti ,&nbsp;Simone Baiocchi ,&nbsp;Giacomo Nigrisoli ,&nbsp;Michele Potenza ,&nbsp;Luigi Fontana ,&nbsp;Tiziana Lazzarotto","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Acanthamoeba</em> keratitis (AK) is a rare but sight-threatening corneal infection, caused by free-living protozoa of the genus <em>Acanthamoeba</em>. Although cases are rising in high-income countries, the nonspecific presentation and overlapping features with other keratitis frequently result in misdiagnosis of AK, with poorer outcomes and impaired quality of life. A delayed diagnosis can allow the infection to progress to deeper corneal layers, increasing the risk of severe structural damage and requiring emergency keratoplasty to preserve ocular integrity and regain vision. This retrospective study describes a three-year experience at a Northern Italy tertiary center using an integrated diagnostic workflow combining clinical evaluation, in vivo confocal microscopy, culture, and -since 2024- real-time PCR. Among 39 patients with suspected AK, 11 cases were confirmed. Culture showed 92 % sensitivity in first diagnoses but decreased to 77 % when relapses were included. PCR, introduced as a routine tool in 2024, showed 100 % sensitivity in first diagnoses and proved crucial in detecting low-burden or culture-negative relapses. Confocal microscopy reached a sensitivity and specificity of 82 %. Early targeted anti-amoebic therapy, guided by this integrated approach, contributed to favorable outcomes in most cases, limiting the need for surgical intervention. These findings support the utility of combining methods for timely and accurate diagnosis of AK. Despite ongoing challenges in the clinical management of AK, our findings reinforce the critical value of adopting molecular diagnostics to enable earlier, more accurate identification and targeted treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117247"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perinephritic and psoas abscess by an unusual coinfection with Trichomonas vaginalis and Lactobacillus johnsonii","authors":"Min Quan ,&nbsp;Xiaoxia Zhang ,&nbsp;Chao Chen ,&nbsp;Yu Feng ,&nbsp;Xiaoju Lv ,&nbsp;Xiaohui Wang ,&nbsp;Hui Ye","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117276","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117276","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Trichomoniasis, caused by <em>Trichomonas vaginalis,</em> is a common nonviral sexually transmitted infection that presents with vaginitis, urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, and rarely perinephric abscess. Here we presented a 49-year-old female with fever and lumbago diagnosed with a coinfection of perinephric and psoas abscess caused by <em>Lactobacillus johnsonii</em> and <em>T. vaginalis</em>, with the etiological diagnosis established using pus culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS)<em>.</em> The patient achieved complete recovery following abscess drainage, incision, and combined therapy with metronidazole and piperacillin/tazobactam. Rare manifestations of trichomoniasis are easily misdiagnosed, and mNGS can help identify <em>T. vaginalis</em> quickly and accurately without prediction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117276"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neural network-enabled MALDI-TOF MS for rapid clinical identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus","authors":"Hengfang Shi ,&nbsp;Haiyong Wang ,&nbsp;Huiling Cao ,&nbsp;Junyao Sha ,&nbsp;Xiaofei Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the feasibility of utilizing neural network algorithm to analyze parameters from matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for rapid identification of methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Strain identification was performed using MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted with the VITEK 2 Compact AST-GP639 card. Mass spectrometry parameters were collected from 41 <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> strains isolated from different patients and anatomical sites, including 20 MRSA and 21 methicillin-susceptible <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MSSA) isolates. Twenty characteristic mass spectral features were screened using LASSO regression analysis. A neural network model was established using these 20 mass spectrometry parameters to rapidly discriminate MRSA.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>LASSO identified 20 discriminatory m/z features, with individual AUCs ranging from 0.825 to 0.982. The ANN model, evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation, achieved an overall accuracy of 97.56%, with 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Compared to single characteristic mass spectral features, the discrimination efficiency of the ANN model was significantly improved, while demonstrating high consistency with classical methods. In addition, SHapley Additive explanations analysis revealed that characteristic features e.g. m/z 147.7004 and 39,767.2735 played major roles in model predictions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The neural network model based on MALDI-TOF MS parameters enables accurate discrimination between MRSA and MSSA. This approach offers rapid identification and cost-effectiveness, providing a novel strategy for clinical differentiation of MRSA and MSSA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145898006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The first reported case of combined occlusion of branch retinal artery and vein secondary to disseminated mycobacterium kansasii infection","authors":"Yanhua Luo ,&nbsp;Binwu Lin ,&nbsp;Baohua Luo ,&nbsp;Lin Qin ,&nbsp;Long Pang","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.117225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Combined occlusion of branch retinal artery and vein in young patient is rare and indicates a high risk of underlying systemic disease. Retinal arteriovenous occlusion secondary to Mycobacterium kansasii (M. kansasii) infection has never been reported.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 37-year-old woman, previously healthy and with nothing remarkable in her family history, presented to the ophthalmology clinic due to a 1-week history of blurred vision and inferior shadow of her right eye. She had been experiencing coughing with phlegm for one month prior to the eye symptoms. Upon examination, it was found that she had a simultaneous occlusion of branch retinal artery and branch retinal vein. Laboratory investigations revealed significant inflammation and hypercoagulability. Computed tomography revealed abnormally intense metabolic activity affecting the lungs, mediastinum, spleen, nasopharynx, neck, and bones. After three months, M. kansasii was identified through DNA sequencing of pathological tissue sections, leading to a diagnosis of disseminated M. kansasii infection. Although the medications (Rifampin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Clarithromycin) were administered according to standardized diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines as soon as the diagnosis was made, the patient was unable to complete the full course of medications due to her inability to tolerate the side effects of the medications. The patient's condition eventually worsened and resulted in death.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This is the first case of M. kansasii-associated hypercoagulability resulting in retinal arteriovenous occlusion. Disseminated Mycobacterium kansasii (DMK) infection is a rare but serious disease that can affect multiple organ systems. Rare retinal arteriovenous occlusion in young patients is often indicative of systemic disease and requires thorough evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117225"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"All spinal infections are not always tuberculosis: A rare case of brucella spondylodiscitis in South India","authors":"Venkat Narayana Goutham Valapala ,&nbsp;Prasanth Bylapudi ,&nbsp;Lakshmi Vasantha Poluri ,&nbsp;Mrudula Vandana ,&nbsp;Supriya Panda ,&nbsp;Pavani Dedeepya Singampalli ,&nbsp;Uday Kumar Yerramsetty ,&nbsp;Vijayalakshmi Payala","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117262","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117262","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A 49-year-old male presented with persistent fever for 20 days, accompanied by chills, headache, and vomiting. Medical history included congenital hearing impairment and speech difficulty, limiting communication; hence, the history was obtained from his wife. On examination, he was irritable, alert, and had neck stiffness without motor or sensory deficits. Cervical spine tenderness prompted a magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, which demonstrated infective spondylodiscitis involving C6–C7. Given the endemic setting, multiple contiguous vertebral involvement, and occupational exposure as a butcher handling unvaccinated goats, differential diagnoses included tuberculous spondylitis and brucellosis. Blood cultures were performed from two sites; the second sample grew <em>Brucella melitensis</em>, identified using the VITEK 2 Compact system after incubation in the BACT/ALERT 3D system and subculture on blood agar. Treatment consisted of gentamicin, doxycycline, and rifampin. The patient became afebrile within 48 h and remained stable. He was discharged with instructions to complete the oral regimen, consisting of doxycycline and rifampin, and to wear a hard cervical collar.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117262"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145959134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eighteen-year laboratory-based surveillance of human coronavirus OC43 in a single tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea: Temporal inflection, seasonal stability, and age-dependent risk","authors":"Mi-Ru Oh ,&nbsp;Ga-Yeon Kim ,&nbsp;Jeong Su Han ,&nbsp;Jae Kyung Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2026.117274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43), a member of the betacoronavirus genus, is a seasonally circulating respiratory virus that persists globally; however, long-term laboratory-based surveillance data remain limited. We analyzed multiplex real-time PCR test results collected at Dankook University Hospital between 2007 and 2024 to comprehensively evaluate long-term annual trends, seasonal structure, and age-specific detection patterns of HCoV-OC43.</div><div>Based on nasopharyngeal swab specimens, the annual positivity rate of HCoV-OC43 ranged from 0.16% to 3.05%. A marked suppression in detection was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021) compared with the pre-pandemic years. This was followed by a partial recovery in 2022–2023; however, detection declined again in 2024 without fully returning to pre-pandemic levels. Seasonal analysis demonstrated a consistent winter predominance throughout the study, with the highest positivity observed in winter (4.44%) and the lowest in summer (1.16%), despite interannual variability. Age-specific analysis revealed highest positivity rates in early childhood 1–4 years (3.12%) and among infants aged 0 years (2.71%), followed by a progressive decline in detection across school-age children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, indicating a clear age-dependent distribution. These findings provide laboratory-based evidence characterizing the temporal, seasonal, and age-related detection patterns of HCoV-OC43 using long-term diagnostic data from a single institution. This information may serve as a reference for interpreting routine respiratory virus testing results and understanding seasonal diagnostic demand and surveillance strategies in clinical practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11329,"journal":{"name":"Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease","volume":"114 4","pages":"Article 117274"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}