The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence rates of respiratory pathogens using syndromic tests and also to show which respiratory viruses were detected in suspected cases, especially during and after the pandemic period. A total of 1984 different respiratory tract samples from various departments were included and studied with the QIAstat-Dx device in 2021–2023. The samples were studied with the QIAstat-Dx1 Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel. The kit used was a fully automated, multiplex syndromic test that detected SARS-CoV-2 and 21 other respiratory tract pathogens. As a result of the study, the prevalence of Rhinovirus/Enterovirus (RV/EV) (18.59%), RV/EV-SARS-CoV-2 (42.74%), SARS-CoV-2 (5.04%), and Influenza A Virus (IAV) (5.59%) agents was found to be higher than other agents during the period investigated. Among the 1984 patients examined, 959 (48.33%) had a single viral agent, 156 (7.86%) had double coinfection, 11 (0.55%) had triple coinfection and 1 patient had quadruple coinfection. Nearly half of the patients had a straightforward infection, which helps clinicians in directing specific treatment methods. The study results demonstrate that during the pandemic period, the detection of respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 and RV/EV was not only critical for accurate diagnosis but also served as an important indicator of the broader epidemiological trends in respiratory infections. The seasonal distribution showed that while RV/EV was frequently present, its coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 was notably observed only in the first trimester. In light of our findings showing high rates of SARS-CoV-2 and RV/EV detection, along with diverse patterns of coinfection in clinical samples, such comprehensive testing not only assists in rapid diagnosis but also informs public health strategies by reflecting the evolving landscape of respiratory infections in the pandemic and post-pandemic era.

(1) Background: This study investigated the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV genotypes, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) at both molecular and serological levels. (2) Methods Fifty patients with histopathologically confirmed HNC who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Viral DNA was detected using quantitative real-time PCR, and serological IgM and IgG antibodies were analyzed using the CMIA method; (3) Results: In blood samples, CMV and HSV DNA were not detected, whereas EBV DNA was identified in 2% and HPV DNA in 4% of patients. In tumor tissues, CMV DNA was detected in 8%, EBV DNA in 10%, and HPV DNA in 6%; HSV DNA is 6%. HPV genotypes 18, 45, and 69 were found in tissue samples. Serologically, IgG positivity for CMV, EBV, and HSV-1 exceeded 90%, whereas IgM positivity was low and not statistically significant; (4) Conclusions: HPV, EBV, and CMV DNA were detected at low frequencies in patients with HNC, while HSV DNA was absent. These findings underline the need for larger multi-center studies and support the consideration of routine viral screening, particularly for HPV, in specific tumor subtypes.

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with head and neck cancer, in relation to age, sex, tumor type, and risk factors, at both molecular and serological levels. Materials and Methods: Data from 50 patients diagnosed histopathologically with head and neck cancer who were admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, between April 2023 and April 2024 were reviewed. At the time of diagnosis, venous blood and tumor biopsy tissue were collected from all cases. CMV, EBV, HPV, and HSV DNA were investigated in both blood and biopsy samples using quantitative real-time PCR. Serologically, IgM and IgG levels were measured using the CMIA method. The data were analyzed along with demographic and clinical parameters. Results: In blood samples, CMV and HSV DNA were not detected, while EBV DNA was found to be positive in 2% and HPV DNA in 4% of the cases. In biopsy tissues, CMV DNA was detected in 8%, EBV DNA in 10%, and HPV DNA in 6% of the samples; HSV DNA was also not detected in tissue samples. HPV DNA positivity showed a statistically significant variation according to tumor type and was more frequently detected in the subtypes of tongue SCC and retromolar SCC (p = 0.005). In serological evaluation, IgG positivity for CMV, EBV, and HSV-1 was above 90%, whereas IgM positivity for all viruses was low and not statistically significant. Conclusion: Among patients with head and neck cancer, the overall positivity rates for HPV, EBV, and CMV DNA were low, and HSV DNA was not detected. The higher prevalence of HPV in specific tumor subtypes suggests a selective role of this virus in head and neck cancers. These findings highlight that the viral etiology of head and neck cancers may vary depending on tumor subtype and individual factors, emphasizing the importance of regional epidemiological data.