Niños hospitalizados con influenza en un hospital pediátrico de Argentina durante 2019-2022: ¿qué ha cambiado luego de la pandemia por COVID-19? / Children with influenza admitted at a children's hospital in Argentina in the 2019­2022 period: What has changed after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Introducción. Durante 2020 y 2021, la circulación de los virus influenza se mantuvo por debajo de lo esperado en todo el mundo. En Argentina, en el año 2022 observamos una circulación ininterrumpida de influenza todo el año. Nuestros objetivos fueron describir los patrones de circulación y las características clínicas de niños internados con influenza. Población y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, analítico, observacional. Se incluyeron todos los niños internados en un centro pediátrico con detección del virus influenza durante los años 2019-2022. Resultados. Se internaron 138 pacientes en 4 años; en 2019 se observó una tasa del 4,5/1000 egresos hospitalarios mientras que en 2022, fue del 15,1/1000. En 2020 y 2021 no hubo casos. En el 2019 la mayoría de los casos ocurrieron en invierno, la causa de la internación fue la infección respiratoria aguda baja (IRAB) en el 79 % y se detectó influenza A en el 92 % de los casos. En el 2022, la mayoría de los casos ocurrieron en primavera, el 62 % presentó IRAB y en el 56 % se detectó influenza A. Ambos períodos tuvieron similares frecuencias de vacunación y de comorbilidades. Conclusiones. En el 2022 se registraron más internaciones por influenza, lo que podría corresponder a que se realizaron métodos diagnósticos moleculares, que son más sensibles, y se observó un cambio en la estacionalidad con más casos en primavera. En 2019 predominó influenza A en infecciones del tracto respiratorio inferior, mientras que en el 2022 influenza A y B fueron similares, y hubo más formas extrapulmonares.

Introduction. During 2020 and 2021, the circulation of influenza virus remained below expectations worldwide. In Argentina, in 2022, we observed an uninterrupted circulation of influenza all year round. Our objectives were to describe the circulation patterns and clinical characteristics of hospitalized children with influenza. Population and methods. Retrospective, analytical, observational study. All children with influenza virus admitted to a children's hospital during the 2019­2022 period were included. Results. A total of 138 patients were admitted over 4 years; in 2019, the rate of hospital discharges was 4.5/1000, compared to 15.1/1000 in 2022. No cases were recorded in 2020 and 2021. In 2019, most cases were observed in the winter; in 79%, the cause was acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI); influenza A was detected in 92%. In 2022, most cases occurred in the spring; 62% developed ALRTI; and influenza A was detected in 56%. Similar rates of vaccination and comorbidities were observed in both periods. Conclusions. In 2022, more hospitalizations due to influenza were recorded, which may have correlated with the use of more sensitive molecular diagnostic testing and a change in seasonality, with more cases observed in the spring. In 2019, influenza A predominated in lower respiratory tract infections, while in 2022, cases of influenza A and B were similar, with more extra-pulmonary forms.

Rapid Molecular Point of Care Testing for Detection of Influenza A, B Viruses and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Versus Multiplex PCR

@#Introduction: Rapid detection of influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be achieved by having rapid molecular point of care tests (POCTs). This expedites the diagnosis attributed by having similar clinical presentations leading to facilitation of precision medicine and reduction of antimicrobial resistance. The growing number of POCTs foster the need to ensure that these POCTs have satisfactory and reliable performance. With that the aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of rapid molecular POCT regarded as ‘X’ for the detection of Influenza viruses and RSV in comparison to multiplex PCR. Methods: A laboratory-based study was conducted from January to December 2020 which involved analysis of 116 nasopharyngeal swabs, tested using POCT X and multiplex PCR as a method of reference. The performance analysis incorporated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicted values determination. The cycle threshold values were reviewed for discordant results. Results: The POCT X demonstrated sensitivity of 88.57% with 100% specificity for Influenza A virus, and 85.71% of sensitivity with 100% specificity for influenza B virus detection. Meanwhile it revealed 100% sensitivity and specificity for RSV detection. There were ten specimens demonstrating discordant results whereby viruses were not detected by POCT X, however detected by multiplex PCR. The POCT X was not able to detect eight (12.9%) and two (16.7%) influenza A and B viruses respectively. Conclusion: The overall performance of POCT X was corresponded to multiplex PCR. This best served as a steadfast ancillary test for influenza and RSV infection.

Influenza: evolución a cuatro años de la pandemia: Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas, Argentina / Influenza: A four-year evolution of the pandemic: Prof. Alejandro Posadas National Hospital, Argentina

En el Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas se estudiaron la incidencia de influenza, las características de casos y tipos y subtipos de virus circulantes de enero a agosto de 2013 inclusive, semanas epidemiológicas (SE) 1-35, y se compararon con los años 2009-2012. De fin de mayo a agosto inclusive de 2013 (SE 18 a 35) se observó un aumento del porcentaje de consulta por enfermedades respiratorias, enfermedad tipo influenza e internación por neumonía y se diagnosticaron 207 casos: 153 influenza A (FLU-A)(H1N1pdm09), 46 A(H3), ocho A(sin subtipificar). La mayor frecuencia fue en menores de 5 años, seguida por el grupo de 60 a 64.La chance de tener la enfermedad fue tres veces mayor en el grupo de 40-64 años versus 15-39 o > 64 años. La letalidad, que aumentó con la edad, fue de 7.2% y la chance de morir fue seis veces mayor en los > 64 años. El porcentaje de vacunación entre los casos fue11.6%. Ninguno de los fallecidos estaba vacunado. Luego de la pandemia de 2009 el porcentaje de consultas anuales disminuyó hasta 2012, con un aumento en el período invernal de 2013 de 52.0% con respecto a 2012. La circulación viral en 2013 fue más temprana que en los años anteriores. En 2009 y 2013 la mayor circulación fue FLU-A (H1N1pdm), en 2011 FLU-A(H3) y en 2010 y 2012 FLU-A(H3) y FLU-B.

As from January to August 2013, epidemiological weeks 1-35 (EW), Influenza incidence, case characteristics, types and subtypes of circulating influenza virus in the Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas Hospital were studied, and were compared to incidences during 2009-2012. From late May to the end of August 2013 (EW18-35), an increase was observed in the proportion of patients' visits for respiratory disease, influenza-like illness and hospitalizations due to pneumonia; of 207 cases diagnosed with influenza A virus, 153 were infected by H1N1pdm09, 46 by H3, and eight without subtype. The highest proportion of cases was found in children under five years of age, followed by the group 60-64.The chances of having the illness were three times greater among the group 40-64 years old compared to 15-39 or those older than 64. Mortality, which increased with age, was 7.2%, and the odds of death were six times higher among those older than 64. Vaccination rate among the cases was 11.6%. None of the fatal cases had received the vaccine. After the 2009 pandemic, the proportions of annual patients´ visits decreased until 2012; in 2013, an increase of 52.0% during the winter period compared to 2012. The viral circulation started earlier in 2013 compared to previous years. FLU-A(H1N1pdm) was the predominant circulating virus in 2009 and 2013, FLU-A(H3) in 2011, FLU-A(H3) and FLU-B in both 2010 and 2012.