Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42169608›Full record

ArticleActa medica academica2026

Genomic and Molecular Characterisation of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in the National SARI Surveillance System Across Three Consecutive Seasons in North Macedonia (2022-2025).

Teodora Karevska, Golubinka Boshevska, Elizabeta Jancheska, Maja Vukovikj, Senada Karishik, Gala Matevska, Gordana Nikolovska, Aneta Peshnachka, Dragan Kochinski, Kristina Stavridis and 5 more

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

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Teodora KarevskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje. teodorabuzarova@yahoo.com.
Golubinka BoshevskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje; Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delchev University, Shtip.
Elizabeta JancheskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Maja VukovikjInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Senada KarishikInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Gala MatevskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Gordana NikolovskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Aneta PeshnachkaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Dragan KochinskiInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Kristina StavridisInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Enkela PolozhaniInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Milica SimovaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Marija AndonovskaInstitute for Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje.
Gorica PopovaFaculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delchev University, Shtip; PHI University Clinic for Respiratory Diseases in Children "Kozle", Skopje.
Icko GjorgoskiInstitute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss.Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo describe the epidemiological, molecular, and genomic characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detected through the national severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance system in North Macedonia across three consecutive seasons (2022/2023-2024/2025). MATERIALS AND

methodsThis study analysed SARI surveillance data from seven hospital-based sentinel sites. RSV detection and subgroup determination were performed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), following season-specific testing strategies, which should be considered when interpreting seasonal differences in RSV positivity. Consensus genomes were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using contemporaneous European reference sequences. Amino acid substitutions in the G and F proteins were assessed descriptively.

resultsAmong 1,899 laboratory-tested SARI cases, 53.3% were tested for RSV, of which 24.8% were positive. RSV-A predominated overall, although seasonal shifts in subgroup dominance were observed. RSV infections were concentrated among young children, particularly those aged 0-2 years. Whole-genome sequencing of 85 RSV-positive samples revealed a dynamic seasonal turnover of RSV-A lineages, whereas RSV-B circulation remained largely confined to a single dominant lineage across seasons. Analysis of antigenically important genes showed greater variability in the G gene compared with the more conserved F gene in both subgroups.

conclusionThe integration of epidemiological, molecular, and whole-genome data within routine SARI surveillance provides a comprehensive overview of RSV circulation and evolution in North Macedonia. These findings contribute genomic data from an under-represented region and provide a foundation for future evaluation of RSV vaccination and monoclonal antibody effectiveness by detecting viral genetic changes, should such measures be implemented in North Macedonia.

Indexed as

Respiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleGenome, ViralHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMalePhylogenyRepublic of North MacedoniaSeasonsSentinel SurveillanceGenomic SurveillanceMolecular EpidemiologyRespiratory Syncytial VirusSARIWhole-Genome Sequencing

Identifiers

PMID42169608
PMCPMC13641022

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