Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42166454›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

The epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus circulation among adult patients with acute respiratory illness in Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda.

James Arinaitwe, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Levicatus Mugenyi, Noah Kiwanuka, Patricia Alupo, Aida N Kawuma, Karen Ndahura, Maria Sekimpi, Eva Akurut, Winters Muttamba and 10 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

20 authors.

James ArinaitweDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2618-4752
Barnabas BakamutumahoVaccine Preventable Diseases-EPI, CDC-UVRI Influenza Surveillance Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.
Levicatus MugenyiDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Noah KiwanukaSchool of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Patricia AlupoDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Aida N KawumaDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Karen NdahuraDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Maria SekimpiDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Eva AkurutDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Winters MuttambaDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Moses JolobaSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Moses OcanDepartment of Pharmacology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8852-820X
Eddie WampandeCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Jacqueline Kyosiimire LugemwaVaccine Preventable Diseases-EPI, CDC-UVRI Influenza Surveillance Program, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7868-9504
Jane NakibuukaMulago National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
John LusibaDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.
Joseph OkiaNorthpark Specialist Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
Darius OwachiKiruddu National Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4785-1887
Pauline Byakika-KibwikaSchool of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Bruce KirengaDepartment of Research and Innovation, Makerere University Lung Institute, Kampala Uganda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2023-2840

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAcute respiratory infections (ARI) caused by viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) posed significant public health challenges, particularly in low-income countries. Understanding the co-circulation dynamics of these pathogens is crucial for effective public health monitoring, surveillance, and control interventions. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV co-circulation among patients with ARI in Uganda's central business districts.

methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among 1,265 adult outpatients aged 18 years and older presenting with ARI in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts. Data were collected for the period from March 2023 through April 2024. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and RSV using RT-PCR. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status were analyzed using descriptive statistics and time series analysis.

resultsRSV was the most prevalent pathogen (5.5%), followed by SARS-CoV-2 (5.1%), Influenza A (4.4%), and Influenza B (1.7%). Individuals aged 45 and older were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2. There was a significant difference in pathogen presence by occupation (p = 0.03), with health workers showing the highest prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while prevalence did not differ significantly by sex. Seasonal trends showed bimodal peaks for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and RSV, with the highest frequency observed between April 2023 to June 2023 and November 2023 to February 2024. However, Influenza B exhibited a single prolonged peak. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was associated with a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (8.7% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.023) but not with influenza or RSV prevalence.

conclusionThe co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV highlights Uganda's ongoing respiratory virus burden. Seasonal patterns and recurrent outbreaks underscore the need for sustained surveillance, targeted vaccination, and public health interventions to mitigate the impact of these pathogens, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Indexed as

COVID-19Influenza, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRespiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2SeasonsUganda

Identifiers

PMID42166454
PMCPMC13193385

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.