Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with other viral respiratory pathogens in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Growing evidence shows that viral co-infection is found repeatedly in patients with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). This is the first report of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with viral respiratory pathogens in Indonesia.

Methods: Over a one month period of April to May 2020, SARS-CoV-2 positive nasopharyngeal swabs in our COVID-19 referral laboratory in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were tested for viral respiratory pathogens by real-time, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Proportion of co-infection reported in percentage.

Results: Fifty-nine samples were positive for other viral respiratory pathogens among a total of 125 samples. Influenza A virus was detected in 32 samples, Influenza B in 16 samples, Human metapneumovirus in 1 sample, and adenovirus in 10 samples. We did not detect any co-infection with respiratory syncytial virus. Nine (7.2%) patients had co-infection with more than two viruses.

Conclusion: Viral co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 is common. These results will provide a helpful reference for diagnosis and clinical treatment of patients with COVID-19.