Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40382534›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Epidemiology and genetic diversity of respiratory syncytial virus in adults 50 years and older with acute respiratory infections in Accra, Ghana.

Comfort Nuamah Antwi, Bartholomew Dzudzor, James Odame Aboagye, Vishnu Nene Limon Abayateye, Joseph Ahia Quarcoo, Asantewa Sisi Yaa Anang, Gloria Gifty Whyte, John Kofi Odoom, Evangeline Obodai

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In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Comfort Nuamah AntwiVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Bartholomew DzudzorDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.
James Odame AboagyeVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Vishnu Nene Limon AbayateyeDepartment of Medicine and Therapeutics, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Joseph Ahia QuarcooVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Asantewa Sisi Yaa AnangVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Gloria Gifty WhyteMedical and Scientific Research Centre, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
John Kofi OdoomVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Evangeline ObodaiVirology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana. eobodai@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.

Funding

Training and Research on Arboviruses and Zoonoses In Nigeria and Sierra Leone (TRAIN)D43TW012246 · FIC · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MED BR GALVESTON · PI Nikos Vasilakis, Scott C Weaver · 2022 to 2026
$1.2M
FIC NIH HHS D43 TW012246
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHuman respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for lower respiratory tract infections, particularly posing a significant threat to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. However, the disease burden is poorly understood in the adult population in Africa. This molecular study investigated the occurrence of RSV in adults 50 years and older and assessed the genetic variability of circulating RSV genotypes in patients with acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in Accra, Ghana.

methodsFrom March to October 2023, patients who are ≥ 50 years of age with confirmed ARI cases were enrolled from three hospitals in Accra, Ghana. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected and analyzed for RSV using real-time quantitative PCR. The second hypervariable region of RSV-positive samples was targeted for sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was carried out to identify the predominant circulating genotypes and a phylogeny established between sequences from this study and other globally circulating RSV genotypes. Amino acids deduction analysis was performed to identify the genetic variability and evolution of the RSV genotypes identified.

resultsA total of 212 patients were enrolled. RSV infection was confirmed in 11 (5.2%) participants. RSV infection was more prevalent among patients aged 65 years and older (8/11, 54.5%). Patients with underlying chronic diseases (18%) suffered severe medically attended RSV complications requiring intensive care and ventilation support. RSV disease was significantly associated with cough (p = 0.023). Phylogenetic and amino acid sequence analysis revealed RSV-B sequences clustered as BA; specifically, the globally prevailing BA9 genotype. No cases of RSV-A were identified. RSV/BA9 dominated the season from July to October 2023. Specific amino acid substitutions both outside and within the duplication region of the G gene were present, and presence of individual clusters and branches provided evidence of strains diversification and evolution.

conclusionThis study provides the first baseline report of RSV disease occurrence among adults ≥ 50 years in Ghana. It reveals the genetic diversification of prevailing RSV/BA9 genotypes identified and addresses the need for continuous RSV surveillances and targeted interventions in this frail population.

Indexed as

Genetic VariationRespiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsRespiratory Tract InfectionsAcute DiseaseAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleGenotypeGhanaHumansMaleMiddle AgedNasopharynxPhylogenyPrevalenceAcute respiratory infectionGhanaMolecular studiesOlder adultsRespiratory syncytial virus

Identifiers

PMID40382534
PMCPMC12084921

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.