Every year in the fall and winter, numerous respiratory viruses (such as influenzaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), RSV, rhinovirus, and metapneumovirus) circulate inmainland France, causing acute respiratory infections (ARIs). These viruses can causeepidemics of varying severity, requiring close monitoring to determine their circulationlevels and adapt public health measures accordingly. In France, ARI surveillance relieson two networks: the Sentinelles network in primary care and the RENAL network inhospitals. The Sentinelles surveillance is conducted in collaboration with Santé publiqueFrance, the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Viruses (Institut Pasteurand Hospices Civils de Lyon), and the University of Corsica. As part of the virologicalsurveillance of ARIs, Sentinelles physicians are asked to collect nasopharyngeal swabs orsaliva samples from a sample of patients presenting with an ARI during their clinicvisits. This surveillance makes it possible to identify respiratory viruses circulatingin primary care (general practice and pediatrics), to describe confirmed cases for eachof the circulating viruses, and to estimate the impact of each on general practice. Thissurveillance also allows for the evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccines againstinfluenza and COVID-19.
Not Provided
Diagnostic Test: saliva sampling
Based on the protocol, physicians perform either a nasopharyngeal swab or saliva
collection on included patients. The method is determined by scientific data and
epidemiological constraints, not by the patient.
Saliva collection:
The physician oversees the collection during the visit using the provided kit (pipette,
tube, etc.).
Depending on constraints, the patient may perform the collection at home if agreed upon.
If the patient is unable to self-collect (e.g., infants, facial paralysis), the physician
collects the saliva directly from under the tongue using the pipette.
Diagnostic Test: Nasopharyngeal swab
Based on the protocol, physicians perform either a nasopharyngeal swab or saliva
collection on included patients. The method is determined by scientific data and
epidemiological constraints, not by the patient.
Nasopharyngeal sampling: During the consultation, the physician performs a deep nasal
swab using the provided kit (FFP2 mask, swab, transport tube, absorbent, SafetyBag, and
pre-paid envelope for partner labs).
Inclusion Criteria:
- be seen by a general practitioner or pediatrician participating in the Sentinelles
surveillance program;
- between week 40 (late September-early October) and week 15 (mid-April) of each year
- have an acute respiratory infection (ARI) as defined below: Sudden onset of fever
(or feeling of fever) and respiratory symptoms
- have given oral consent to participate in this monitoring or, in the case of minors,
oral consent given by the child's legal guardian(s) present at the consultation
Exclusion Criteria:
- a person who is subject to a court-ordered protective measure;
- a person who is under guardianship or conservatorship, unless accompanied by their
legal guardian or unless the legal guardian objects to their participation;
- a person who is not in a condition to receive information or give consent.
IPLESP - UMR S 1136, N° BC 2908, Faculté de médecine Sorbonne Université, site Saint Antoine, 27 rue Chaligny
Paris, France
Thierry BLANCHON, MD, PhD
+33664846662
thierry.blanchon@iplesp.upmc.fr
Olivier STEICHEN, MD, PhD
olivier.steichen@aphp.fr
Thierry BLANCHON, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France