Influenza C Detection Among Patients Hospitalized with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness, Minnesota 2014–2015
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background. Influenza C viruses are thought to be non-epidemic and cause mild illness. However, respiratory diagnostic assays do not commonly include detection of influenza C virus. Methods. The MN Department of Health (MDH) initiated surveillance for severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in April 2013 at 3 hospitals (one children's hospital) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Cases include hospitalized MN residents with acute onset of respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough) with a respiratory specimen collected. Residual respiratory specimens are submitted to MDH and tested for 25 viral and bacterial pathogens by RT-PCR, including influenza C as of September 2014. Medical records are reviewed to obtain demographic and clinical data. Results. Influenza C was detected in 39 of 3474 (1.0%) SARI specimens submitted from September 2014 to April 2015, specimens collected in December (n = 3), January (n = 6), February (n = 11), March (n = 17), April (n = 2) were positive. Respiratory distress/shortness of breath was the most common admission symptom (n = 26) followed by cough (n = 21) and congestion (n = 16). One case had influenza C detected twice during the same admission, 20 days apart. Among SARI cases with influenza C detected, median age was 1.5 years (range 0-84 years), most (85%) were <10 years old. Median hospital stay was 2 days; 3 cases had ICU admission (2 with no co-detections); there were no deaths. Underlying medical conditions were reported for 20 (51%) cases, most commonly prematurity (n = 8), asthma (n = 5), and neurological/neuromuscular disease (n = 5). 11 (28%) SARI cases with influenza C had no other pathogens detected; 28 (72%) had co-detections including rhinovirus (n = 12), RSV (n = 8), parainfluenza (n = 7) and human metapneumovirus (n = 5). 8 cases had >2 pathogens detected. There was no difference in co-detections by age or underlying condition. One influenza C positive case was hospital-acquired in a patient who has been admitted since birth; no other pathogens were detected in this patient. Conclusion. Influenza C was detected among patients, primarily children, hospitalized for SARI. Cases occurred during influenza A/B season. Continued surveillance for influenza C will help to better understand the epidemiology, including seasonality, severity and risk factors for disease. Disclosures. All authors: No reported disclosures.
Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,053
OpenAlex ID: W2246215174