Dengue as a cause of acute undifferentiated fever in Vietnam

Background  

Dengue is a common cause of fever in the tropics but its contribution to the total burden of febrile illnesses that is presented to primary health facilities in endemic regions such as Vietnam, is largely unknown. We aimed to report the frequency of dengue as a cause of fever in Binh Thuan Province, to describe the characteristics of dengue patients, and analyze the diagnostic accuracy of the health care workers and the determinants of the diagnostic process.     

Viral lower respiratory tract infections in Filipino children

Viral causes of acute lower respiratory tract infection were studied prospectively between 15 June and 31 October 1984 in 312 Filipino children less than 5 years old living in periurban slums and middle-class housing. The cause was based on viral antigen detection, virus isolation, and antibody assays. There were 131 children (41.2%) who were admitted to the hospital, and 150 (47%) had an infiltrate on chest radiograph. A total of 198 viral infections were confirmed in 162 patients (51.9%), 42.3% with single viral infection and 9.6% with mixed (two or more) infection. The infections were measles (21.4%), influenza A (15.9%), parainfluenza types 1, 2, and 3 (8.8%), respiratory syncytial virus (7.1%), influenza B (5.8%), enteroviruses (5.1%), adenoviruses (3.9%), herpes simplex virus (1.6%), and cytomegalovirus (1.3%). Viral infections other than measles were seen in 39.7% of the cases. The presence of viral infection correlated with better nutritional status. Influenza A or B diagnosis was associated with mild forms of acute respiratory tract infection, measles and a preceding rash with severe disease.     

兰州地区成人急性呼吸道感染常见病毒IgM抗体检测

目的 了解冬春季节兰州地区成人急性呼吸道感染患者病毒病原学状况。方法2003年11月1日至2004年4月30日，对兰州地区3家三级甲等医院呼吸科年龄16岁以上急性呼吸道感染患者467例，采用间接酶联免疫吸附实验（ELISA，定量法）就流感病毒A（Flu A）、流感病毒B（Flu B）、呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）、腺病毒（ADV）、副流感病毒（PIV）血清中病毒特异性IgM抗体进行检测。结果 ①174例（174／467，37．3％）检出病毒特异性抗体阳性。其中FluA132例（132／467，28．3％）；Flu B80例（80／467，17．1％）；RSV68例（68／467，14．6％）；ADV22例（22／467，4．7％）；PIV7例（7／467，1．5％）。②少数患者（58／467，12．4％）存在两种或两种以上病毒同时感染情况，其中有27例（15．5％）合并细菌感染，27例中有14例（14／27，51．9％）有基础疾病。结论 ①病毒是成人急性呼吸道感染的重要病原体之一。其中流感病毒（FluA、Flu B）是兰州地区成人冬春季节急性呼吸道感染最重要的病毒病原体，其次为呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）。腺病毒（ADV）和副流感病毒（PIV）少见。②存在两种或两种以上呼吸道病毒同时感染的现象，少数病例有继发细菌感染。③有基础疾病者感染呼吸道病毒风险增加。     

Viral infection related to the appearance of acute bacterial respiratory tract infections

To investigate what viruses are related to acute bacterial respiratory tract infections, we prospectively evaluated 113 cases with respiratory tract infections (always accompanying by purulent sputum) experienced between July 1998 and March 2000. Acute viral infections were detected in 25 cases (22%); 10 cases of influenza A virus and 6 cases of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. The epidemiology of the influenza A virus and RS virus was mainly identified as from December to February in both winter seasons. A bacteriological examination of sputum cultures isolated 12 cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae and 10 cases of Haemophilus influenzae during the same periods and mixed infections of both viruses and bacteria were recognised in 16 cases (14%). These results suggest a significantly high percentage of mixed infections of both viruses and bacteria. However, it was unknown whether the patients with acute bacterial respiratory infections had been infected with viruses prior to the bacterial infections. The frequency of appearance of respiratory tract infections tended to increase with the seasonale epidemiology of viral infections.     

上海地区儿童急性呼吸道病毒感染的流行特征

目的 了解近年上海地区呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)、甲型和乙型流感病毒(IV-A和IV-B)、副流感病毒1、2、3型(PIV-1、2、3)以及腺病毒(ADV)在急性呼吸道感染住院儿童中的流行特征.方法 回顾性分析2003-2006年连续4年复旦大学附属儿科医院收治入院的急性呼吸道感染儿童鼻咽吸取物7种常见呼吸道病毒的检出情况以及季节和年龄分布特点.直接免疫荧光法检测病毒.年龄分布比较作非参数检验.结果 4年期间共收集11214例患儿标本,其中98.7%取自急性下呼吸道感染,7种病毒总的阳性检出率为24.2%,其中RSV阳性率为17.7%,PIV-3为2.8%,ADV为2.2%,IV-A为0.7%,PIV-1为0.5%,PIV-2为0.3%,IV-B为0.1%,混合感染为0.2%.RSV通常在冬、春季流行,夏季很少检出,每2年RSV流行季节提前至秋季开始,持续流行较长时间.PIV-3、ADV和IV全年散发,某些月份时有流行.无固定的流行规律.病毒感染患儿年龄中位数RSV为4个月、PIV-3为8个月、PIV-1为9.5个月、PIV-2为10.5个月、ADV为12个月、IV为13个月,差异有统计学意义(X2154.319,P<0.01).RSV感染率随患儿年龄增长而降低,PIV-3在婴幼儿人群中感染率较高,ADV在1岁及以上儿童中感染率较高.结论 RSV是上海地区儿童呼吸道感染最常见的病毒病原,要幼儿易感,春、秋和冬季都有流行,PIV-3是第2位常见病原.感染儿童以婴幼儿常见,ADV是第3位常见病原,感染儿童年龄较大,IV检出率低,未出现ADV和IV在上海地区儿童中暴发流行.     

Effects of acute viral respiratory tract infections in patients with cystic fibrosis

To determine the effects of acute viral respiratory infections (ARI) in cystic fibrosis (CF) we studied all episodes of ARI in ten patients over a 2 year period. A daily diary card was kept on which they recorded all illnesses, including specific upper and lower respiratory symptoms, antibiotic use, and daily peak flow measurements. Recording of concurrent similar illnesses in other household members aided in confirming the onset of ARI, as did a home viral culturing technique and serial serum antibody levels against specific viral types. A total of 80% of the 35 recorded onsets of ARI (1.75/yr/subject) were confirmed by one or more of these methods. Five subjects with moderate to severe pulmonary function scores at the outset of the study had significantly greater decreases in PEFR during ARI episodes (42.4%) than those with milder disease (15.4%), and it took them significantly longer to recover to their baseline measurements (22 days vs. 15 days respectively). The majority of hospital admissions for pulmonary exacerbations were preceded by viral infections (7/8).     

Viral acute respiratory infections among infants visited in a rural hospital of southern Mozambique

Objectives To determine the epidemiology and clinical presentation of virus‐associated acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Mozambican infants. Methods A systematic selection of nasopharyngeal aspirates (n = 333), collected from infants younger than 12 months who visited Manhiça District Hospital (southern Mozambique) with ARI during a 12 months respiratory syncitial virus surveillance, were tested for other common respiratory viruses. Four different polymerase chain reactions were used to diagnose rhinovirus (RV), influenza (Flu; A and B), adenovirus (ADV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza (PIV; 1, 2, 3 and 4AB) and enterovirus (EV). Results At least one study virus was identified in more than half of the samples tested (185/333). Overall, 231 viruses were detected among 185 infants, listed in the order of prevalence: RV (26%), Flu (15%), ADV (14%), hMPV (7%), PIV (5%) and EV (3%). Acute respiratory infections (ARI) cases and viral episodes were seasonal and concentrate during the warm and the rainy season. Clinical features were similar among all study children regardless of the detection of virus, with the exception of ear discharge, which was more frequent among viral cases [6% (11/183) vs. 1% (2/144); P = 0.034]. Children with multiple viral infections had higher odds of severity such as nasal flaring and indrawing (OR = 2.7, P = 0.028 and OR = 3.8, P = 0.007, respectively) and higher odds of hospitalisation (OR = 4.42, P = 0.001, adjusted by age and sex). Conclusions Viral ARI are frequent among infants visited in MHD. Strategies to prevent mild respiratory infections, and specially their complications, might alleviate health systems of source‐limited settings.     

Changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in patients treated with cefodizime for acute lower respiratory tract infections

The influence of cefodizime (CDZ) on CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes was investigated in patients with lower respiratory tract infection and underlying respiratory diseases. Ten men and one woman were treated with CDZ 1 g i.m. b.i.d. for ten days. The infecting organisms wereHaemophilus influenzae (5),Streptococcus pneumoniae (2) andEscherichia coli (1). No adverse events were reported. Nine patients were clinically cured; two required further antibiotic therapy. Leucocyte counts decreased significantly during treatment. Lymphocyte counts and CD4 cells both increased significantly in absolute and relative numbers, while there was a much smaller increase in CD8 cells. This resulted in a significant increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio. These effects of CDZ might be of benefit for immunocompromised patients with bacterial infections.Der Einfluß von Cefodizim (CDZ) auf CD4 und CD8 Lymphozyten wurde bei Patienten mit Infektionen der tiefen Atemwege und chronischen Grundkrankheiten der Atemwege untersucht. Zehn Männer und eine Frau wurden über zehn Tage mit 2×1 g CDZ i.m. behandelt. Folgende Keime wurden isoliert:Haemophilus influenzae 5×,Streptococcus pneumoniae 2× undEscherichia coli 1x. Unerwünschte Arzneiwirkungen wurden nicht beobachtet. Klinische Heilung trat bei neun Patienten ein, zwei benötigten weiterhin antibiotische Behandlung. Im Lauf der Behandlung kam es zu einer signifikanten Abnahme der Leukozyten. Dagegen wurde bei Lymphozyten und CD4 Zellen ein signifikanter Anstieg beobachtet. Während bei CD8 Zellen nur eine geringe, statistisch nicht signifikante Erhöhung eintrat, stieg der CD4/CD8 Quotient signifikant an. Diese Wirkungen von CDZ könnten sich für Patienten mit bakteriellen Infekten und Störungen der Immunabwehr günstig auswirken.     

Viral respiratory infections as cause of fever in hospitalized aged patients during a winter season]

PURPOSE: In the geriatric units of the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, 129 cases of fever (38 degrees C or more) were recorded prospectively during the 1995-1996 winter period in a population of 503 hospitalised patients (25.6%), and were investigated for the detection of a viral aetiology. METHODS: In febrile patients, a standard form was used to record clinical and biological parameters, including the results of investigations for respiratory viruses from a nasal swab and dual serum specimens. RESULTS: A clinical or radiological respiratory infection was found in 69 cases (53.5% of all cases of fever), including 14 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. In comparison to nonviral respiratory infections, the RSV infections were characterised by the prevalence of anorexia (57% vs 20%, P < 0.05) and rhinorrhea (64% vs 5%, P < 0.01). No influenza infection was recorded despite the concomitant circulation of influenza virus in the community. A nosocomial outbreak of RSV infection (nine cases, attack rate of 18.7%) was identified in a long-stay care unit. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the high prevalence (10.9%) of RSV infections in elderly patients with fever during this season and the importance of hygienic measures to control the spread of nosocomial outbreaks.     

WU多瘤病毒在儿童急性呼吸道感染中的作用

目的了解急性呼吸道感染儿童中WU多瘤病毒(WUPyV)的感染情况及其作用。方法采集天津市儿童医院急性下呼吸道感染住院儿童的鼻咽吸取物(NPA)标本174份,急性上呼吸道感染的咽拭子标本68份以及无呼吸道症状的对照咽拭子标本43份,用PCR法进行WUPyV基因检测,对NPA阳性标本采用PCR和多重PCR同时检测其他常见呼吸道病毒。结果174份NPA标本中共28份检出WUPyV核酸,占16.1%。患者平均年龄为11.7个月(12 d~39个月),其中≤6个月10例(35.7%),6个月~1岁10例(35.7%),1~2岁7例(25.0%),2~5岁1例(3.6%);男19例(67.9%),女9例(32.1%);与其他呼吸道病毒混合感染20例,占71.4%,50%为两种病毒混合感染,混合感染率最高的为RSVB(32.1%),其次为HboV(21.4%)和Rhino、PIV3(均为14.3%)。检查68例急性上呼吸道感染者的咽拭子标本,3例为WUPyV阳性,其中2例患儿为3岁,1例2岁;女2例,男1例。43例无呼吸道症状者的咽拭子标本均为WUPyV阴性。结论急性呼吸道感染儿童中存在WUPyV感染,下呼吸道感染患儿中检...     

呼吸道感染婴幼儿肠道轮状病毒携带状况调查

目的了解呼吸道感染婴幼儿患者肠道轮状病毒携带状况。方法采用胶体金法对338例因呼吸道感染就诊的患儿粪便标本进行轮状病毒抗原检测。结果呼吸道感染婴幼儿患者肠道轮状病毒携带率为6.8%,其中男、女患儿的携带率分别为5.4%和9.6%,差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.195,P>0.05);携带率高峰在10～12月;上呼吸道感染患儿肠道轮状病毒的携带率为19.6%,下呼吸道感染患儿的携带率为4.4%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=12.18,P<0.05)。结论呼吸道感染婴幼儿患者肠道可携带轮状病毒,感染具有明显的季节性。     

Viral and bacterial infections in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The association of both viral and bacterial infections with acute myocardial infarction was investigated in a case-control study involving 40 consecutive patients with an acute myocardial infarction, 41 random controls and 30 patients with chronic coronary heart disease. All individuals were males aged 50 years or less. A rise in enterobacterial common antigen antibodies (15/40) and a recent influenza-like illness (11/40) were significantly more common among patients with acute myocardial infarction compared with the other groups. No differences were observed between the groups in the occurrence of antibodies against eight other bacterial antigens or 16 viruses.     

Acute lower respiratory tract infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether drugs used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contribute to the increased risk of respiratory infection or influence its outcome. METHODS: We identified all episodes of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in our RA population over a 12 month period. A detailed drug history was recorded in each case, together with the clinical outcome. Premorbid illnesses and admission data were collected and analyzed to assess the influence of oral steroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) on outcome. RESULTS: The overall annual incidence of LRTI in patients with RA was 2.3% with a mortality rate of 22.5%. Demographic factors predicting LRTI included older age and male sex. Oral steroids and not taking DMARD were also associated with an increased risk of hospital admission with LRTI. Being male and having RA for over 10 years trended to the prediction of death as a result of infection. Taking DMARD was not associated with any adverse outcome. CONCLUSION: Respiratory infection is common in patients with RA and carries a high mortality. Oral steroids predispose to infection, while DMARD do not. Increasing age and male sex also predispose to respiratory tract infection.