Han Jeong Su, Jang Sung Hun, Jeon Jae-Sik, Kim Jae Kyung
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan-si 31116, Republic of Korea.
Department of Medical Laser, Graduate School of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan-si 31116, Republic of Korea.
Diseases. 2025 May 10;13(5):147. doi: 10.3390/diseases13050147.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Respiratory syncytial virus A (RSV A) is the leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly in vulnerable populations. This study aimed to investigate the long-term epidemiological trends of RSV A infection in the Republic of Korea over an 18-year period (2007-2024), with emphasis on age, sex, and seasonal differences.
A total of 23,284 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were analyzed by multiplex real-time PCR. Statistical comparisons were performed using the chi-square test.
The RSV A-positivity rate was highest in 2007 (19.7%) and lowest in 2021 (0.1%) ( < 0.001). Infants (0 years) exhibited the highest infection rate (18.5%, 95% CI: 17.3-19.6), whereas adults aged 20-64 years and older adults showed significantly lower rates (0.7% and 0.9%, respectively). Seasonal peaks occurred in winter (15.3%) and autumn (14.7%), indicating earlier onset of RSV A circulation. No significant difference was found between sexes ( = 0.196).
This study provides the first long-term retrospective analysis of RSV A trends in the Republic of Korea and reveals a shift toward an earlier seasonal onset. These findings support the need for earlier preventive strategies and optimized vaccination timing, particularly for high-risk groups, such as infants. These findings underscore the importance of seasonal variation and the potential influence of environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, relative humidity, and geographic latitude, on RSV A transmission patterns in Korea, although these variables were not directly analyzed in the present study and warrant further investigation.
背景/目的：呼吸道合胞病毒A（RSV A）是呼吸道感染的主要病因，尤其是在易感人群中。本研究旨在调查韩国18年期间（2007 - 2024年）RSV A感染的长期流行病学趋势，重点关注年龄、性别和季节差异。
通过多重实时聚合酶链反应对总共23,284份鼻咽拭子标本进行分析。使用卡方检验进行统计学比较。
RSV A阳性率在2007年最高（19.7%），在2021年最低（0.1%）（<0.001）。婴儿（0岁）的感染率最高（18.5%，95%置信区间：17.3 - 19.6），而20 - 64岁的成年人及老年人的感染率显著较低（分别为0.7%和0.9%）。季节性高峰出现在冬季（15.3%）和秋季（14.7%），表明RSV A传播开始时间提前。两性之间未发现显著差异（P = 0.196）。
本研究首次对韩国RSV A趋势进行了长期回顾性分析，并揭示了季节性发病时间提前的变化。这些发现支持了需要更早的预防策略和优化疫苗接种时间，特别是对于婴儿等高风险群体。这些发现强调了季节变化以及环境因素（如环境温度、相对湿度和地理纬度）对韩国RSV A传播模式的潜在影响的重要性，尽管本研究未直接分析这些变量，仍需进一步调查。
