Zeynep NAZLIKAYA ERDEM, Hörü GAZİ, Ayşın ŞAKAR COŞKUN, Muhammed İkbal ŞAŞMAZ, Sinem AKÇALI
Türk Geriatri Dergisi - 2026;29(2):125-136
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus and risk factors associated with severe infection in adults aged >=60 years who presented with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection and to obtain regional epidemiological data. Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 230 patients aged >=60 years who presented with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infection at the Manisa Celal Bayar University Emergency Department (n=130) and Pulmonology Outpatient Clinic (n=100) between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. After obtaining informed consent from the patients, nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and analyzed using the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel. Demographic characteristics and potential risk factors were also recorded. Results: At least one pathogen was detected in 44.8% of the patients, with respiratory syncytial virus (6.5%), influenza (16.1%), and rhinovirus/enterovirus (11.3%) being the three most commonly identified pathogens. Among patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection, cardiovascular diseases (53.3%) were the most common comorbidity, although no significant association was found between viral positivity and chronic diseases. The hospitalization rate for lower respiratory tract infections was highest among patients with respiratory syncytial virus (69.2%), whereas it was 56.0% among patients with influenza. No hospitalization was required for patients positive for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, patients with respiratory syncytial virus had a higher incidence of hypoxia (p=0.035) and a greater need for intensive care unit admission (p=0.023). Conclusion: Respiratory syncytial virus infections are associated with a more severe clinical course and an increased need for intensive care in older adults. Effective surveillance strategies for respiratory syncytial virus are required in Turkey.
