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JPPCM · Lens · Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Absence of Influenza A/B Among Acute Symptomatic Respiratory Cases in Khartoum, Sudan

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Article · Volume 12, Issue 2 · pp. 97-101

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Absence of Influenza A/B Among Acute Symptomatic Respiratory Cases in Khartoum, Sudan

Omklthoom M Elameen1, Rawia O Adam1, Tasneem M Khalifa1, Sanaa ME Ahmed2, Awadalkareem Y Awadalkareem3, Abdel Rahim M El Hussein3, Halah Alkorbi4, Khalid A Enan3

  1. 1Undergraduate Students, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Department of Microbiology, AL Neelain University, Khartoum, SUDAN.
  2. 2Lecturer of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, SUDAN.
  3. 3Department of Virology, Central Laboratory, The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khartoum, SUDAN.
  4. 4Preventive Reference Laboratory, Department of Health Protection & Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, QATAR.

Abstract

Background: Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) are among the most common causes of morbidity worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings. Viral pathogens such as severe acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A, and influenza B often present with overlapping clinical symptoms, complicating diagnosis and management. Aim This study aimed to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B among symptomatic patients in Khartoum, Sudan, using a multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay.Materials and Methods: Nasopharyngeal Aspirates (NPAs) were collected from 35 patients presenting with acute respiratory symptoms of ≤3 days duration. Multiplex RT-PCR was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B viruses.Results: Results of the 35 patients, 42.8% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, while no cases of influenza A, influenza B, or viral co-infection were detected.Conclusion: These findings underscore the dominance of SARS-CoV-2 and highlight the utility of multiplex RT-PCR for differential diagnosis in Sudan’s surveillance efforts. The absence of influenza may reflect seasonal variation, public health interventions, or limited sample size.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Influenza virus; Co-infection; Multiplex RT-PCR; Nasopharyngeal; aspirates; Respiratory viral infections; Khartoum State; Sudan; Acute respiratory symptoms; Viral; RNA detection

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