Any pathogen was identified in 140 patients (55%), in 89 of 182 adults (49%) and in 51 of 72 children (71%). Among these patients, one or more respiratory virus was detected in 91 (65%), one or more bacteria in 53 (38%) and a mixed viral-bacterial infection in 11 (8%) patients. 45 of 72 children (63%) were infected with one or more respiratory viruses. Compared to children, viral detection in adults was less frequent (25%, n = 46; p < 0.001). A single pathogen was identified in 99 patients (39%); multiple pathogens were detected in 41 patients (16%). Distribution of detected pathogens and the differences between children and adults are shown in Table 4, and Figs. 1, 2a and b.Table 4Relevant pathogens identified from respiratory specimens Total (n = 254) Adults (n = 182) Children (n = 72) Bacteria, n (%)66 (26.0)54 (29.7)12 (16.7) Haemophilus influenzae 12 (4.7)11 (6.0)1 (1.4) Klebsiella pneumoniae 8 (3.1)6 (3.3)2 (2.8) Staphylococcus aureus 4 (1.6)1 (0.5)3 (4.2) Escherichia coli 4 (1.6)3 (1.6)1 (1.4) Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4 (1.6)4 (2.2)0 (0.0) Streptococcus pneumoniae 3 (1.2)2 (1.1)1 (1.4) Streptococcus pyogenes 3 (1.2)2 (1.1)1 (1.4) Legionella pneumophila 3 (1.2)3 (1.6)0 (0.0) Mycobacterium tuberculosis 3 (1.2)3 (1.6)0 (0.0) Mycoplasma pneumoniae 1 (0.4)0 (0.0)1 (1.4) Other bacteria21 (8.3)19 (10.4)2 (2.8)Viruses, n (%)119 (46.9)54 (29.7)65 (90.3) Rhinovirus A/B/C33 (13.0)16 (8.8)17 (23.6) Influenza A virus17 (6.7)11 (6.0)6 (8.3) Influenza B virus4 (1.6)0 (0.0)4 (5.6) Adenovirus14 (5.5)4 (2.2)10 (13.9) Bocavirus 1/2/3/49 (3.5)0 (0.0)9 (12.5) Respiratory syncytial virus A8 (3.1)4 (2.2)4 (5.6) Respiratory syncytial virus B6 (2.4)5 (2.7)1 (1.4) Parainfluenza virus 11 (0.4)1 (0.5)0 (0.0) Parainfluenza virus 21 (0.4)0 (0.0)1 (1.4) Parainfluenza virus 36 (2.4)3 (1.6)3 (4.2) Parainfluenza virus 45 (2.0)2 (1.1)3 (4.2) Human Metapneumovirus5 (2.0)2 (1.1)3 (4.2) Enterovirus3 (1.2)0 (0.0)3 (4.2) Coronavirus 229E1 (0.4)1 (0.5)0 (0.0) Coronavirus NL632 (0.8)1 (0.5)1 (1.4) Coronavirus OC431 (0.4)1 (0.5)0 (0.0) Non respiratory viruses3 (1.2)3 (1.6)0 (0.0)Fungi, n (%)10 (3.9)9 (4.9)1 (1.4) Pneumocystis jirovecii6 (2.4)6 (3.3)0 (0.0) Other fungi4 (1.6)3 (1.6)1 (1.4)Pathogens associated with mixed infections were counted individually Fig. 1Distribution of respiratory viruses detected as single or mixed pathogen Fig. 2 a Distribution of identified pathogens for adults. b Distribution of identified pathogens for children