Epidemiological characteristics of six respiratory pathogens in respiratory infections in Fuzhou, China

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the burden and features of respiratory pathogens infections among patients with Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTIs) in Fuzhou, China. Providing evidence-based guidance for outbreak prevention. METHODS: From December 2023 to February 2025, 10,355 ARTI patients at Fuzhou University Affiliated Provincial Hospital were tested for six pathogens (Influenza A virus (FLUA), Influenza B virus (FLUB), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Human rhinovirus (HRV), adenovirus (ADV), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)) using multiplex PCR. Detection rates and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: Among enrolled patients, 4,699 (45.37%) tested positive. Overall pathogen detection showed no significant gender difference. However, RSV positivity was higher in males (P =0.046), while MP infection predominated in females (P 1%) included HRV+MP (2.98%), ADV+MP (2.87%), HRV+FLUA (2.06%), and ADV+HRV (1.64%). These pathogens constituted the primary etiology of pediatric ARTIs. Distinct seasonal patterns emerged: FLUA peaked in spring/winter; FLUB and MP surged in winter; RSV circulated in spring/autumn; ADV prevailed in autumn/winter; HRV was endemic in summer/autumn/winter. HRV positivity correlated inversely with improved air quality (daily index 60 years（y）: Children