Influenza Co-Infection among COVID-۱۹ Patients in Iran: A Systematic Review

Background: Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ۲ (SARS-CoV-۲), is an infectious disease with an unprecedented transmission rate. Considering that there is limited information about the prevalence of influenza co-infection among SARS-CoV-۲ positive Iranian patients, and that SARS-CoV-۲ co-infection with other respiratory pathogens complicates its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the prevalence of influenza co-infection among SARS-CoV-۲ positive Iranian population to facilitate rapid disease management. Materials & Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords to find all relevant articles published in English from December ۲۰۱۹ to July ۲۰۲۴. Patients of various ages with influenza-SARS-CoV-۲ co-infection were evaluated. This study was conducted according to PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. Findings: Totally, ۶۳۱ articles were recognized in electronic databases, among them nine articles meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed in this research. The prevalence of influenza co-infection among SARS-CoV-۲ positive patients was ۴.۳۸%. The majority of SARS-CoV-۲ positive patients were male, while the frequency distribution of influenza-SARS-CoV-۲ co-infection was almost the same in both sexes. The viral load was the highest in patients aged ۱۸-۶۰ years. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the prevalence of influenza co-infection among SARS-CoV-۲ positive patients is low. However, the significance of this issue should not be ignored, and influenza vaccination in high-risk groups including hospitalized patients and the elderly is highly recommended due to the probability of serious complications.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، SARS-CoV-۲ ، Influenza B virus ، Influenza A virus ، Coinfection