• Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in sport clubs in 2021, Tehran, Iran
  • Hafez Mozayyan Esfahani,1,* Nooshin Eyvazzadeh,2 Aidin Ghamgosar,3 Niloufar Shaker,4 Gevik Karpians,5 Tina Mansour Ghanaei,6
    1. . Department of Microbiology , Faculty of Basic Sciences , Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani University
    2. Department of Medical Bacteriology , faculty of Medicine ,Qazvin University of medical sciences
    3. Department of Labratoary sciences , faculty of Para Medicine , Islamic Azad University
    4. Department of Biology-Biochemistry, School of Science,Agriculture and Modern technologies, Islamic Azad University of Shiraz
    5. . Department of Biology-Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Science and research branch
    6. Department of Laboratory sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical sciences, Guilan University of Medical Science


  • Introduction: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are infectious diseases caused by various pathogens such as bacteria. however, more than 80% of ARTIs are due to viruses (1). In most cases, it starts in the nose, trachea, and lungs. ARTIs account for more than75% of all acute morbidities in developed countries (2). Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are two types of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). The upper respiratory tract consists of the nose, larynx, paranasal sinuses, and middle ear. Nasopharyngitis, laryngitis, and pharyngotonsillitis (3). Several respiratory viruses have been responsible for URITs, for instance, Rhinoviruses, Human coronaviruses, Adenoviruses, Parainfluenza viruses, Human metapneumo viruses, and Influenza viruses are the most common viruses causing URTIs (4). Besides, Respiratory syncytial virus, Influenza A and B, Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, and Adenovirus have been identified as common viruses for LRTIs in numerous investigations (1). Coronaviruses are a group of viruses belonging to the Coronaviridae, which are divided into four genera including α-CoV, β-CoV, δ-CoV, and γ-CoV. moreover, it has 22 subclasses, and 40 species (5). Among these species of the coronavirus, seven species have been identified that have been transmitted to humans and can cause a variety of colds in humans. hCOV-2229E, hCOVOC43, hCOV-NL63, and hCOV-HKU1 are responsible for pneumonia in children and adults (6). However, SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 are other types of coronaviruses with more severe symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, and respiratory problems (7). COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) which belongs to β-CoV. In this genera, viruses are enveloped with a single-stranded RNA genome (8). COVID-19 has come to be the most threatening issue to all populations around the world. According to the United Nation as of April 28, 2022, over 512 million verified cases and over 6 million deaths have been reported worldwide (9). well known that different kinds of exercises including indoor and outdoor conditioning are essential for health (10). Exercise has been found to maintain physical processes namely, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, neurological, and cadaverous systems. Regular training performs a fundamental role in the forestallment and administration of cardiovascular and metabolic health conditions (11,12). During this epidemic, several scientific studies have been done to find out whether it's safe to go back to the health clubs. Due to athletes high commuting and the kinds of activities that take place there, fitness installations have been linked as a high threat for acquiring COVID-19. Various threat factors including, the average amount of time spent in the fitness club, the viral load of an infected person, and ventilation, play a part in viral transmission in fitness centers. According to the review and meta-analysis ‘has been published in the Sports Medicine journal, exercises strengthen the first line of protection of the immune system and contribution to related cells. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO instructions would be essential for the protection against COVID-19 spread among individuals who attend gymnasiums and fitness clubs. A well-maintained and operating system, adding the rate of air change, having a mask, maintaining social distancing exceeding two meters, ventilation and filtration to adulterate contagion aerosols, hygiene, including handwashing, which removes the chance for direct and circular transmission and washing bottoms and shells are important actions during the epidemic (13). Therefore, we tried to study the prevalence of COVID-19 among athletes in sport clubs in Tehran, Iran. We looked at 124 cases from 3 age groups, the 58 (47%) cases aged between 18 – 25, 30 (52%) were female and 28 (48%) were male. 46 (37%) cases aged 25 – 50, consisting 20 (43%) female, 26 (56%) male and 20 (16%) cases were over 50 years old,7 (35%) were female and 13 (65%) were male. In each case, nasal swab samples were taken. The High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid ROJE kit was used to extract ribonucleic acid (RNA). Real-time PCR was used to identify SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Among all cases, 6 (10%) of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were between 18 – 25 years old, consisting of 5 (83%) males and 1 (17%) females. 3 (6%) were between 25 – 50 years old which 2 (67%) cases were male and 1 (33%) case was female and finally, 2 (10%) positive cases were male and over 50 years old. Cough, sneezing, and rhinorrhea were the most common clinical symptoms of cases.
  • Methods: This study evaluated the possible existence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 124 throat and nasal swab samples using Real-time PCR. All samples were collected from patients with respiratory symptoms in sport clubs, Tehran, Iran.
  • Results: From 124 people selected as the study sample, 11 samples (8.87%) tested positive using Real-time PCR. The results of the sample testify to the positive effect of sports clubs on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.
  • Conclusion: This study was performed to Investigate the risk of transmission in society among symptomatic athletes. Our study showed that SARS-CoV-2 can spread easily in society by this group of patients and all sport clubs should measure PCR negative results mandatory for entry into these sports clubs.
  • Keywords: Respiratory Tract Infection , SARS-COV-2 , ARIs , Prevalence , COVID-19