Abstract
During the Belgian winter
and spring season 2022-2023, we investigated the potential of used paper
tissue (UPT) as a non-invasive sampling method for the diagnosis of
acute respiratory infections. Screening for respiratory pathogens was
done using an in-house developed respiratory panel for simultaneous
detection of 22 respiratory viruses and 7 non-viral pathogens. The
method allowed the identification and typing of respiratory pathogens in
symptomatic individuals, as well as in collective samples taken at a
community level. Pathogens that were identified in nasal swabs could
also be detected in concurrent UPT from the same patient. In all cases
that tested positive on an antigen-detection rapid diagnostic test, the
corresponding virus could be detected in UPT. The collection of UPT
could be useful in epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and other
coronaviruses, as well as other respiratory pathogens such as
influenzavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, entero/rhinoviruses
including EV D68, parainfluenzaviruses and Streptococcus
pneumoniae. Multiple respiratory pathogens could be detected in UPTs of
collectivities, confirming its applicability for community testing. This
is especially interesting for screening in nursing homes, centers for
the disabled, schools or other settings were taking nasal or
nasopharyngeal samples is cumbersome.