Point prevalence assessments of five respiratory viruses in adults ≥ 50 years of age in Germany by multi-pathogen rapid antigen testing on June 1, 2024, and December 15, 2024.

Publication date: Aug 25, 2026

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) impose a significant burden on healthcare systems and society. This study aimed to investigate the circulation of respiratory viruses in community-dwelling older adults in Germany. Participants aged ≥ 50 years in Germany performed multi-pathogen rapid antigen self-tests (MAK5) detecting adenovirus (AdV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A and B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on June 1 and December 15, 2024. Participants reported test results, ARI symptoms and duration, medical consultations, work absenteeism, comorbidities, vaccination history, and prior infections. 2,654 participants enrolled in the point prevalence assessment on June 1, 2024 and 2,385 on December 15, 2024. Most tests were negative (n = 4,807; 93. 9%), with an overall detection rate of 5. 7%. In June, 153 pathogens were detected, compared to 138 in December. AdV was the most frequently detected pathogen in both June (59/153; 38. 6%) and December (44/138; 31. 9%), followed by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A. Among participants with a positive test, at least one ARI symptom was reported by 47. 7% in June and 58. 7% in December. SARS-CoV-2 was associated with the highest clinical burden, resulting in healthcare utilization in 10. 0% and 19. 4% of cases and work absenteeism in 10. 0% and 13. 9% of cases in June and December, respectively. Point prevalence testing revealed substantial AdV circulation, underrepresented in routine surveillance. Its frequent co-detection with other viruses suggests a role as a co-infecting agent. Community-based screening can help identify asymptomatic reservoirs and underreported viral circulation, linking viral detection to clinical and economic impact.

Open Access PDF

Concepts	Keywords
Adults50	AdV
Germany	Influenza
Healthcare	MAK5
Influenza	Rapid antigen test
June	SARS-CoV-2

Semantics

Type	Source	Name
disease	MESH	respiratory infections
disease	MESH	severe acute respiratory syndrome
pathway	KEGG	Influenza A
disease	MESH	infections
disease	MESH	influenza
disease	MESH	eco
drug	DRUGBANK	Fenamole
disease	MESH	COVID 19 pandemic
disease	MESH	included
disease	MESH	Ger
disease	MESH	IBM
disease	MESH	hypertension
disease	MESH	fed
disease	MESH	Heart failure
disease	MESH	Asthma
pathway	KEGG	Asthma
disease	MESH	Chronic bronchitis
disease	MESH	emphysema
disease	MESH	Chronic hepatitis
disease	MESH	cirrhosis
disease	MESH	overweight
disease	MESH	Diabetes mellitus
disease	MESH	Epilepsy
disease	MESH	stroke
disease	MESH	RSV infection
disease	MESH	rhinitis
disease	MESH	asthenia
disease	MESH	pharyngitis
disease	MESH	fever
disease	MESH	cough
disease	MESH	hos
disease	MESH	latent infections
disease	MESH	frailty
disease	MESH	delirium
disease	MESH	asymptomatic infections
drug	DRUGBANK	Coenzyme M
disease	MESH	clinical progression
disease	MESH	syndrome
disease	MESH	Dyspnea
disease	MESH	Conjunctivitis
disease	MESH	Anosmia
disease	MESH	Ageusia
disease	MESH	Hoarseness
disease	MESH	Chills
disease	MESH	Vertigo
disease	MESH	Sneezing
disease	MESH	Lymphadenopathy
disease	MESH	Arthralgia
disease	MESH	Myalgia
disease	MESH	Dry eye
disease	MESH	Cephalgia
drug	DRUGBANK	Isoxaflutole
drug	DRUGBANK	Etoperidone
disease	MESH	strain
disease	MESH	viral infections
drug	DRUGBANK	Trestolone
disease	MESH	RTD
disease	MESH	MSD
pathway	REACTOME	Reproduction
disease	MESH	Dis
disease	MESH	community acquired pneumonia
disease	MESH	Sando
drug	DRUGBANK	Carboxyamidotriazole
drug	DRUGBANK	Guanosine
disease	MESH	acute respiratory distress syndrome
pathway	KEGG	Viral replication
disease	MESH	ers
disease	MESH	Rai