Comparison of influenza hospitalization outcomes among adults,older adults,and octogenarians: a US national population-based study

ObjectivesThis study sought to more fully elucidate the age-related trends in influenza mortality with a secondary goal of uncovering implications for treatment and prevention.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort analysis of data from the Nationwide Readmission Database, patients with influenza as a primary or secondary discharge diagnosis were separated into three age groups: 55 638 adults aged 20–64 years, 36 862 adults aged 65–79 years and 41 806 octogenarians aged ≥80 years. Propensity score (PS) weighting was performed to isolate age from other baseline differences. Crude and PS-weighted hazard ratios (HR) were calculated from the in-hospital all-cause 30-day mortality rate. Admission threshold bias was minimized by comparison of influenza with bacterial pneumonia mortality.ResultsAdults aged 20–64 years experienced higher in-hospital 30-day mortality compared with older adults aged 65–79 years (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.55–0.79). Octogenarians had the highest mortality rate, but this was statistically insignificant compared with the adult cohort (HR 1.09; 95% CI 0.94–1.27). This trend was not explained by admission threshold bias: the 30-day mortality rate due to in-hospital bacterial pneumonia increased consistently with age (older adult HR 1.45; 95% CI 1.32–1.59; octogenarian HR 1.99; 95% CI 1.82–2.18).ConclusionsAdults aged 20–64 years and octogenarians were more likely to experience all-cause 30-day mortality during influenza hospitalization compared with older adults aged 65–79 years. These data emphasize the importance of prevention and suggest the need for more tailored treatment interventions based on risk stratification that includes age.     

Characteristics of hospitalized children with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1): a multicenter study in Korea

The majority of Korean patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) during the 2009 epidemic were under 20 yr of age. The limited data on the clinical characteristics of these children led us to conduct a case note-based investigation of children admitted to 6 university hospitals with 2009 H1N1 influenza. A total of 804 children was enrolled. The median age was 5 yr; 63.8% were males; and 22.4% had at least one chronic underlying disease. Ninety-five of the patients (11.8%) were critically ill and they suffered more from shortness of breath, dyspnea and lymphopenia than the other patients. Among all the patients, 98.8% were treated with antivirals and 73% received treatment within 48 hr of illness onset. All the enrolled patients are alive and appear to have had good outcomes, probably due to the early intervention and antiviral treatment. This study deals with hospitalized children whose diagnoses of influenza A (H1N1) were confirmed, and therefore provides important new information about the clinical patterns of children with influenza A (H1N1) in Korea.     

Elevation of serum ferritin levels for predicting a poor outcome in hospitalized patients with influenza infection

ObjectivesThere is increasing evidence that ferritin is a key marker of macrophage activation, but its potential role in influenza infection remains unexplored. Our aim was to assess whether hyperferritinaemia (ferritin ≥500 ng/mL) could be a marker of poor prognosis in hospitalized patients with confirmed influenza A infection.MethodsWe prospectively recruited all hospitalized adult patients who tested positive for the influenza A rRT-PCR assay performed on respiratory samples in two consecutive influenza periods (2016–17 and 2017–18). Poor outcome was defined as the presence of at least one of the following: respiratory failure, admission to the intensive care unit, or in-hospital mortality.ResultsAmong 494 patients, 68 (14%) developed poor outcomes; 112 patients (23%) had hyperferritinaemia (39/68, 57% in the poor-outcome group versus 73/426, 17% in the remaining patients, p < 0.0001). Median serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with poor outcomes (609 ng/mL, range 231–967 versus 217 ng/mL, range 140–394, p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, hyperferritinaemia was associated with a five-fold increase in the odds ratio of developing poor outcome. After adjusting for classic influenza risk factors, ferritin remained as a significant predictive factor in all exploratory models. Ferritin levels had a good discriminative capacity with an area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.8, p < 0.001) and an overall diagnostic accuracy for predicting poor outcome of 79.3% (95%CI 75.4–82.7%).ConclusionsSerum ferritin may discriminate a subgroup of patients with influenza infection who have a higher risk of developing a poor outcome.     

甲型H1N1流感患者血清流感病毒血凝抑制抗体滴度变化分析

目的 了解甲型H1N1流感患者发病后体内流感病毒特异性血凝抑制抗体滴度变化.方法 采集28例甲型H1N1流感患者发病后不同时间的血清,采用血凝抑制试验测定其抗体滴度并分析.结果 患者距发病1、5、15、22、37、49天和58天的血凝抑制抗体滴度分别为5.36、9.39、39.02、57.99、137.92、55.19和57.99,患者的最高抗体滴度几何均数为148.55,其中96.4％( 27/28)的患者在病程中产生保护性抗体和发生抗体血清转换.结论 甲型H1N1流感患者能有效产生保护性水平的抗体,有较好的免疫反应.     

Quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccine: clinical outcomes in two influenza seasons,historical cohort study

ObjectivesThe quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) contains two influenza B antigens (one of each B lineage), while the trivalent vaccine (TIV) contains solely one. As a result, a mismatch between the circulating B lineage and the lineage in the TIV occurs frequently. We aimed to compare the frequency of clinically significant outcomes in a large cohort of vaccinees receiving either TIV or QIV.MethodsHistorical cohort study of all inactivated influenza vaccinees (aged 3 years and older) in a Health Maintenance Organization insuring 1.2 million individuals, over two influenza seasons in which both vaccines were provided non-selectively. Primary outcome was hospital admissions during the influenza season. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to adjust for relevant covariates.ResultsOur cohort included 150 518 and 168 296 vaccinees in the first (S1) and second season (S2), respectively. The two influenza seasons were characterized by high Influenza B activity. Of those vaccinated with QIV, 2074 of 49 726 (4.2%) and 6563 of 121 741 (5.4%) were hospitalized compared with 7378 of 100 792 (7.3%) and 3372 of 46 555 (7.2%) of those vaccinated with TIV (S1 and S2, respectively). After multivariate analysis adjusting for several covariates (gender, age, socioeconomic status, chronic morbidity, timing of vaccination), compared with TIV recipients, QIV vaccinees had lower odds for hospitalization (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–0.98 and OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.85–0.93) or emergency department visit (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.87–0.95 and OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.81–0.87) in S1 and S2, respectively (p < 0.001). Lower odds of mortality and influenza-like illness were also observed in S2 (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.75 and OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.90–0.95, respectively).ConclusionsIn seasons with relatively high influenza B activity, QIV appeared more protective than TIV in Israel.     

Emergent 2009 influenza A(H1N1) viruses containing HA D222N mutation associated with severe clinical outcomes in the Americas

Background

During the 2010-2011 influenza season, a small sub-group of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) viruses (hereafter referred to as 2009 A(H1N1)) emerged that was associated with more severe clinical outcomes in Ecuador and North America. Genetically, the haemagglutinin (HA) of this sub-clade was distinct from HAs found in viruses associated with severe outbreaks in 2010 from the United Kingdom and from other global specimens isolated earlier in the season.

Objective

We report the emergence of a novel 2009 A(H1N1) variant possessing a re-emergent HA D222N mutation obtained from patients with severe respiratory illnesses and phylogenetically characterise these D222N mutants with other severe disease-causing variants clustering within a common emerging sub-clade.

Case reports

In early 2011, three cases of 2009 A(H1N1) infection, two from Quito, Ecuador, and one from Washington, DC, USA, were complicated by severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation, resulting in one fatality. These cases were selected due to the reported nature of the acute respiratory distress (ARD) that were captured in Department of Defence (DoD)-sponsored global influenza surveillance nets.

Results

Genetically, the 2009 A(H1N1) strains isolated from two of the three severe cases carried a prominent amino acid change at position 222 (D222N) within the primary HA receptor binding site. Furthermore, these cases represent an emerging sub-clade of viruses defined by amino acid changes within HA: N31D, S162N, A186T and V272I. Phylogenetically, these viruses share a high degree of homology with strains associated with recent fatal cases in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Discussion

Previously, enhanced virulence associated with the change, D222G, has been clinically linked to severe morbidity and mortality. Initial observations of the prevalence of a novel sub-clade of strains in the Americas suggest that viruses with a re-emergent D222N mutation may too correlate with severe clinical manifestations. These findings warrant heightened vigilance for emerging sub-clades of 2009 A(H1N1) and presumptive clinical implications.     

2014-2016年北京市严重急性呼吸道感染病例监测研究

目的 分析2014年8月-2016年7月北京市严重急性呼吸道感染(SARI)病例监测中监测到的SARI病例的流行病学、病原学和临床特征.方法 在北京市11家哨点医院开展SARI监测,收集病例的流行病学与临床信息,采集并检测病例的呼吸道标本,分析2014年8月至2016年7月SARI病例的流行病学、病原学和临床特征.结果 11家哨点医院共监测到6144例SARI病例,收集5125名病例的临床信息,采集5885名病例的呼吸道标本.SARI病例占入院病例数的11.1％.SARI病例中流感的阳性率为13.5％.5125例SARI患者中,男性占58.3％,以＜5岁(34.1％)和≥60岁(31.6％)者为主,基础病的患病率为31.8％,平均住院时间为7天.流感患者中肺部基础病者的比例高于非流感病例(19.0％ vs 14.1％,P＜0.001).流感病例的平均住院时间短于非流感病例(7dvs 8d,P=0.001).流感与非流感病例的ICU治疗率和死亡率的差异无统计学意义.结论 开展SARI监测对于了解流感在住院病例中的分布特征,以及流感导致的重症病例的临床特征等方面具有重要的意义.     

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of severe rhinovirus-associated pneumonia identified by bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in adults: Comparison with severe influenza virus-associated pneumonia

BackgroundRhinoviruses (RVs) may cause pneumonia, but the characteristics of RV-associated pneumonia have not been adequately evaluated.ObjectiveWe aimed to compare characteristics, complications, and outcomes between severe RV- and influenza virus (IFV)-associated pneumonia in adults.Study designWe used prospective cohort data of adult patients with severe pneumonia who had been admitted to the medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital over a 4-year period. The clinical features and outcomes of 27 patients with RV-positive bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were compared to those of 51 pneumonia patients with IFV-positive BAL fluid or IFV-positive nasopharyngeal specimens.ResultsOf 356 patients who underwent bronchoscopic BAL and respiratory virus polymerase chain reaction (PCR), RV was the most commonly identified virus (8.1%) from BAL fluid. Patients with RV-associated pneumonia were more likely to be immunocompromised than patients with IFV-associated pneumonia (81.5% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.001). Bacterial coinfection tended to be less common in the RV group (18.5% vs. 37.3%, p = 0.09). Although septic shock was less common in the RV group (29.6% vs. 54.9%, p = 0.03), other clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and radiologic patterns were similar between the groups. The 28-day mortality of patients with severe RV- and IFV-associated pneumonia was similarly high (29.6% vs. 35.3% respectively, p = 0.61).ConclusionsSevere RV-associated pneumonia patients were more likely to be immunocompromised and less likely to present septic shock. Overall clinical features were similar and mortalities of both groups were comparably high. Studies of larger cohorts encompassing mild to moderate pneumonia patients are needed.     

A three-year prospective study of life events and course for adults with anorexia nervosa/bulimia nervosa.

Attempts to understand the pathogenesis and course of eating disorders have increasingly included investigation of stressful life events. We report a prospective study in which major life events were assessed 1, 2, and 3 years after the patient's initial presentation to a university hospital psychiatric department. Using a combined questionnaire and interview procedure based on items from the Psychiatric Epidemiologic Research Interview, we studied 25 adults with DSM-III-R anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Evidence for an influence of life events on improvement was obtained the 1st year. Events explained a substantial 30% of the variability in follow-up status, with analyses taking potential confounds into consideration unable to explain the finding. Also, significant correlations between events and self-rated variables (Eating Disorder Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory) were obtained at one of the follow-ups, but in all, the data did not consistently imply that life events affect the patients' course.     

Clinical course and factors associated with outcomes among 1904 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Germany: an observational study

ObjectivesIn Germany the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation is unique among large European countries in that incidence and case fatality rate are distinctly lower. We describe the clinical course and examine factors associated with outcomes among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Germany.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study we included patients with COVID-19 admitted to a national network of German hospitals between February 12 and June 12, 2020. We examined demographic characteristics, comorbidities and clinical outcomes.ResultsWe included 1904 patients with a median age of 73 years, 48.5% (924/1904) of whom were female. The mortality rate was 17% (317/1835; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 16–19), the rate of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) was 21% (399/1860; 95%CI 20–23), and the rate of invasive mechanical ventilation was 14% (250/1850: 95%CI 12–15). The most prominent risk factors for death were male sex (hazard ratio (HR) 1.45; 95%CI 1.15–1.83), pre-existing lung disease (HR 1.61; 95%CI 1.20–2.16), and increased patient age (HR 4.11 (95%CI 2.57–6.58) for age >79 years versus <60 years). Among patients admitted to the ICU, the mortality rate was 29% (109/374; 95%CI 25–34) and higher in ventilated (33% [77/235; 95%CI 27–39]) than in non-ventilated ICU patients (23%, 32/139; 95%CI 16–30; p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn this nationwide series of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Germany, in-hospital and ICU mortality rates were substantial. The most prominent risk factors for death were male sex, pre-existing lung disease, and greater patient age.     

Effects of narrative persuasion in promoting influenza vaccination in Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThe study examined the effectiveness of narrative persuasion in promoting influenza vaccination in Hong Kong.MethodsThe study conducted a randomized controlled trial with a sample of 440 Hong Kong adults who were either at high risk or had a high-risk family member. The participants were randomly assigned to watch a narrative video, an informational video, or no message, and were assessed for perceived threats, perceived efficacy, and vaccination intent, and were followed up three months later for actual vaccination.ResultsExperimental conditions produced significant differences on perceived threats of influenza but not on perceived efficacy, vaccination intent, and actual vaccination. When compared to informational messages delivered containing equivalent amount of information, narrative messages were more persuasive in promoting perceptions about influenza, equally effective in enhancing vaccination intention and actual behaviors, and equally ineffective in changing efficacy beliefs. The persuasiveness of narratives in promoting threat perceptions was found to work better for individuals with lower literacy levels.ConclusionsIncorporating authentic sociocultural beliefs and experiences in message design can effectively enhance threats perceptions related to influenza.Practice implications: Narratives presented in short-video stories could be an effective tool for promoting health threats especially among high-risk individuals with limited health literacy.     

Factors associated with depressive symptoms among 18-year-old boys: a prospective 10-year follow-up study

BACKGROUND: The aim is to study associative and predictive factors for self-reported depressive symptoms among 18-year-old boys. METHODS: The participants in this community-based 10-year follow-up study consisted of 2348 boys born during 1981. At baseline, three informant sources were used: parents, teachers, and the children themselves. At follow-up, self-report questionnaires were used to study boys' family factors, life events, adaptive functioning, and substance use. Depressive symptoms at age 18 were established using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Poor adaptive functioning within family and in education, having fewer than two close friends, somatic health problems, and using illicit drugs were all independently associated with a high level of depressive symptoms in the cross-sectional data at age 18. Self-reported depressive symptoms (Children's Depression Inventory, CDI) at age 8 independently predicted an increased number of depressive symptoms 10 years later. LIMITATIONS: Only self-reported questionnaires were used at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The high association between depressive symptoms at age 8 and at age 18 gives grounds for paying special attention to children's own intimations of distress already in the early school years. Using self-report screening questionnaires in school health care may help identify children's depressive symptoms.     

Respiratory virus infection among hospitalized adult patients with or without clinically apparent respiratory infection: a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesTo determine the viral epidemiology and clinical characteristics of patients with and without clinically apparent respiratory tract infection.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was conducted during the 2018 winter influenza season. Adult patients with fever/respiratory symptoms (fever/RS group) were age- and sex-matched with patients without fever/RS (non-fever/RS group) in a 1:1 ratio. Respiratory viruses were tested using NxTAG? Respiratory Pathogen Panel IVD, a commercially-available multiplex PCR panel.ResultsA total of 214 acutely hospitalized patients were included in the final analysis, consisting of 107 with fever/RS (fever/RS group), and 107 age- and sex-matched patients without fever/RS (non-fever/RS group). Respiratory viruses were detected in 34.1% (73/214) of patients, and co-infection occurred in 7.9% (17/214) of patients. The incidence of respiratory virus was higher in the fever/RS group than in the non-fever/RS group (44.9% (48/107) versus 23.4% (25/107), p 0.001). Influenza B virus, enterovirus/rhinovirus and coronaviruses were detected more frequently in the fever/RS group, whereas parainfluenza virus 4B and adenovirus were detected more frequently in the non-fever/RS group. Among the non-fever/RS group, chest discomfort was more common among patients tested positive for respiratory viruses than those without respiratory virus detected (44% (11/25) versus 22% (18/82), p 0.04).ConclusionsRespiratory viruses can be frequently detected among hospitalized patients without typical features of respiratory tract infection. These patients may be a source of nosocomial outbreaks.     

Evaluation of rectal swab use for the determination of enteric pathogens: a prospective study of diarrhoea in adults

ObjectivesA stool sample is the sample of choice for microbiological testing of enteric pathogens causing diarrhoea, but a rectal swab can be a more practical alternative. A prospective observational study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of flocked rectal swab specimens using the syndromic molecular approach to determine the aetiology of diarrhoea in adults.MethodsWe compared the performance of rectal swabs with stool samples as the reference standard in determining viral, bacterial and protozoal pathogens using real-time multiplex PCR as well as standard stool culture. Paired samples of stool and rectal swab specimens were collected from 304 adult patients with diarrhoea, presented at the Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, between June 2016 and August 2017.ResultsOverall sensitivity of rectal swab samples in the syndromic molecular approach was 83.2% (95% CI 77.2%–88.1%). Pathogen group-specific analysis of rectal swabs showed sensitivity of 65.6% (95% CI 52.7%–77.1%) for viruses and 57.1% (95% CI 28.9%–82.3%) for parasites. For bacteria, sensitivity was 86.5% (95% CI 79.5%–91.8%) when PCR was performed and 61.4% (95% CI 52.4%–69.9%) when culture for bacteria was performed. Mean threshold cycle (Ct) values for most pathogens were higher in rectal swab specimens than in stool specimens.ConclusionsOur results indicate that rectal swabs can be used in the diagnosis of diarrhoea in adults when stool specimens are not available or when rapid aetiological determination is needed. However, rectal swabs should be analysed using a molecular approach. The mean Ct value for most pathogens is higher in rectal swab specimens than in stool specimens.     

Duration of viral shedding and factors associated with prolonged shedding among inpatients with influenza treated with oseltamivir: a prospective cohort study

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of decline in the diagnostic yield of influenza PCR assay after oseltamivir administration, and to identify risk factors for prolonged shedding. This was a prospective observational study. We included adult inpatients with clinical signs of influenza during the influenza seasons 2015 and 2016, who had positive influenza PCR tests and who were treated with oseltamivir. Clinical follow-up and repeat PCR testing were performed on days 2, 4 and 6 after the first positive test. We defined prolonged shedders as patients who still required hospitalization and had a positive PCR assay on day 4. Risk factors for prolonged shedding were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 215 patients were included in our study. The median age was 64 years and 49.3% were men. The main influenza type was H1N1 (50.1%). Rates of PCR positivity among evaluable patients on days 2, 4 and 6 were 142/215 (66%), 50/78 (64.1%) and 20/30 (66.6%), respectively. Independent risk factors for prolonged shedding (50 patients) included hypoxemia [odds ratio (OR) 2.55, 95% confidence interval (1.3–5.1)] and lower diastolic blood pressure [OR 0.94, 95% CI (0.92–0.97)] on admission. Negative PCR tests taken more than 48 h after initiation of treatment had low diagnostic yield. More severe disease, manifested by hypoxemia and lower blood pressure, is associated with prolonged shedding on oseltamivir treatment.     

Pediatric hospital admissions from influenza A (H1N1) in Brazil: effects of the 2010 vaccination campaign

In 2009, the influenza A (H1N1) virus spread rapidly around the world, causing the first pandemic of the 21^st Century. In 2010, there was a vaccination campaign against this new virus subtype to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disease in some countries, including Brazil. Herein, we describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients under 19 years of age who were hospitalized with confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infection in 2009 and 2010. We retrospectively reviewed files from the pediatric patients who were admitted to a university hospital with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed influenza A (H1N1) infection in 2009 and 2010. There were 37 hospitalized patients with influenza A (H1N1) in 2009 and 2 in 2010. In 2009, many of the hospitalized children had an underlying chronic disease and a lower median age than those not hospitalized. Of the hospitalized patients, 78% had a chronic disease, primarily pneumopathy (48%). The main signs and symptoms of influenza were fever (97%), cough (76%), and dyspnea (59%). Complications occurred in 81% of the patients. The median length of hospitalization was five days; 27% of the patients required intensive care, and two died. In 2010, two patients were hospitalized with influenza A (H1N1): one infant with adenovirus co-infection who had received one previous H1N1 vaccine dose and presented with respiratory sequelae and a 2-month-old infant who had a hospital-acquired infection. An impressive reduction in hospital admissions was observed in 2010 when the vaccination campaign took place in Brazil.