Background: Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are common etiological agents of acute respiratory tract infections. However their prevalence and clinical presentations are less well studied.
Methods: Here in Singapore, we conducted acute respiratory infection surveillance in selected military camps to investigate the epidemiology of such infections and pathogens involved. Nasal washes were done for patients that meet the case criteria along with a survey questionaire. Nucleic acids were then extracted from the nasal washes and subjected to molecular testing for presence of various pathogens, including human coronaviruses.
Results: The results presented will focus on the four human coronaviruses 229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43 detected over a 2 ½ year period of surveillance.
Conclusion: The epidemiology of the four human coronaviruses 229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43 over the 2 ½ year period and how they compare with that of other published studies will be discussed.