Circulation of other respiratory viruses and viral co-infection during the 2009 pandemic influenza

Abstract

Coinciding with the pandemic wave of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus, other respiratory viruses have co-circulated in our area and were responsible for many acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness (ILI). Apart from the pandemic virus that was responsible for most ILI cases, incidence rates of other viruses have varied among geographical areas. In general, human rhinovirus was the most frequent among individuals from the community, and respiratory syncytial virus among hospitalized patients. Detection rates of other respiratory viruses such as human metapneumovirus, adenovirus or parainfluenza viruses have been much lower. On the basis of an interference mechanism, human rhinovirus may contribute to modulate the pandemic wave, although available data are not conclusive to support this hypothesis. In contrast, the epidemic wave of respiratory syncytial virus during 2009-2010 was similar to previous seasons. Overall, incidence rates of respiratory viruses other than influenza did not change significantly during the pandemic season compared to other seasons. No association has been found between coinfection of pandemic influenza and other respiratory viruses with the prognosis of patients with influenza. The involvement of clinical virology laboratories in the etiological diagnosis of ILI cases has improved and has optimized diagnostic procedures.

A systems approach to understanding human rhinovirus and influenza virus infection

“…In another co-infection study, 30 samples (13%) from individuals infected with the influenza virus were positive by a PCR assay for 31 viral co-pathogens of which the most prominent was rhinovirus (61%) (Esper et al, 2011). While co-infection may be common, more recent studies found that disease severity and clinical course were essentially similar in patients with co-infections compared to patients with single infections (Choi et al, 2015;Asner et al, 2014;Blyth et al, 2013;Navarro-Mari et al, 2012).…”

Rapid diagnostic test for respiratory infections

“…), may be added in patients with a high risk of serious respiratory illness. Modified by Navarro-Marí et al 45 meaning that it is currently possible to use them as POCTs, with results that are much more reliable than those obtained with viral antigen detection tests. 31,35,41 In general, these devices make it possible to process a limited number of samples at the same time (between 1 and 8, depending on the platform).…”

“…2). 45,46 Rapid diagnosis of infection by Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii) P. jirovecii is a pathogenic fungus that reproduces extracellularly in the pulmonary alveoli of mammals. It does not lead to illness and the immune system remains unaltered.…”

Métodos de diagnóstico rápido de las infecciones respiratorias

“…), pueden ser añadidos en pacientes con alto riesgo de enfermedad respiratoria grave. Modificada de Navarro-Marí et al 45 .…”

“…En conjunto, atendiendo al medio en que nos encontremos, situación epidemiológica y la gravedad del cuadro clínico, se hace necesario establecer algoritmos diagnósticos, que permitan un uso racional y eficiente de las diferentes técnicas diagnósticas para VR ( fig. 2) 45,46 .…”