Publication date: Apr 01, 2026
Background Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) continue to be a major global health concern, particularly among infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses. The circulation patterns of respiratory viruses have shifted considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for updated regional data. This study assessed the distribution, age-related trends, and seasonal behavior of common respiratory viruses in northwestern Saudi Arabia using multiplex PCR diagnostics. Methods This retrospective observational study was conducted on 3,809 respiratory samples collected at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, between November 2022 and April 2025. All specimens were analyzed using the Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV Plus assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) to detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Demographic variables, pathogen frequencies, coinfection patterns, and seasonal variations were examined. Associations between age groups and viral detection were evaluated using chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results Among 3,809 samples, 1,197 (31%) tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. RSV was the most frequently detected virus (39%), followed by influenza A (33%) and SARS-CoV-2 (19%). Single-pathogen infections accounted for 97% of positive cases, while 3% demonstrated coinfections, most commonly RSV plus influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 plus influenza A. Viral detection varied significantly by age (p
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| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Influenza | influenza a virus |
| Pcr | multiplex pcr |
| Saudi | respiratory syncytial virus |
| Sunnyvale | respiratory tract infections |
| sars-cov-2 | |
| seasonal variation | |
| viral coinfection |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | Respiratory tract infections |
| disease | MESH | chronic illnesses |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 pandemic |
| pathway | KEGG | Influenza A |
| disease | MESH | influenza |
| disease | MESH | coinfection |
| disease | MESH | infections |
| disease | MESH | viral infections |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Tropicamide |
| pathway | REACTOME | Reproduction |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Coenzyme M |
| disease | MESH | infectious diseases |
| disease | MESH | common cold |
| disease | MESH | included |
| disease | MESH | bed |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Dimercaprol |
| disease | MESH | IBM |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Methionine |
| disease | MESH | genetic predispositions |
| disease | MESH | severe acute respiratory syndrome |
| disease | MESH | Dis |
| disease | MESH | emergency |
| drug | DRUGBANK | (S)-Des-Me-Ampa |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Influenza A virus |