ReviewHNO2026
[Otorhinolaryngologic infections in the post-pandemic context: What can we learn from the literature?]
Review in HNO, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe epidemiology of various respiratory infections changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and other containment measures (nonpharmacologic interventions, NPI) led to a decline in virus circulation, resulting in fewer cases at hospitals and practices. Once restrictions were eased, a rebound effect was observed worldwide, resulting in an increase in viral and severe invasive bacterial infections.
objectiveVarious case series on different ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections have been conducted in the context of the pandemic in Germany. These studies should be summarized and interpreted in the context of currently available data. MATERIALS AND
methodsThe literature review focuses particularly on studies from Germany before, during, and after the pandemic, supplemented by European and international data.
resultsFollowing the lifting of NPIs, a general increase in severe bacterial ENT infections was observed worldwide, particularly among children. Evidence from the underlying retrospective data from Germany is limited. For mastoiditis and complicated sinus infections, cohort studies showed no change in the bacterial spectrum or in the complication rate. Microbiological data for peritonsillar abscesses are currently lacking. Necrotizing fasciitis in the head and neck region increased globally. Reliable data from Germany are currently unavailable.
conclusionThe increased susceptibility due to low exposure to pathogens during the pandemic and the simultaneous surge in post-pandemic virus circulation is believed to be the main cause of the rise in infections. The current data do not prove a direct influence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Vaccinations, strict hygiene measures, patient education, and monitoring could help to mitigate the severity of such phenomena in the future.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.