Influenza aviar H5N1. ¿Debemos preocuparnos?

Desde la segunda mitad de 2022 se ha reportado un aumento de casos de influenza en aves migratorias en Latinoamérica. Los virus influenza A y B son los principales agentes asociados a influenza estacional epidémica en humanos. Los virus influenza A circulan no solo en humanos sino también en animales, incluyendo aves migratorias. El intercambio de segmentos de ARN genómico entre dos virus del mismo tipo aumenta la diversidad de los subtipos circulantes e incluso puede facilitar la generación de progenie viral potencialmente pandémica. La naturaleza zoonótica del virus influenza A puede generar infecciones en humanos con virus de origen animal. El virus influenza A de origen aviar ha ocasionado transmisiones en humanos, incluyendo casos graves y muertes, siendo la influenza A H5N1 la más destacada. Es importante tomar medidas de prevención y control en caso de aumento de casos de influenza en aves migratorias para prevenir posibles pandemias en Chile y el mundo.

Since the second half of 2022, an increase in influenza cases in migratory birds has been reported in Latin America. Influenza A and B viruses are the main agents associated with seasonal epidemic influenza in humans. Influenza A viruses circulate not only in humans but also in animals, including migratory birds. The exchange of genomic RNA segments among two viruses increases the diversity of circulating subtypes and may even facilitate the generation of potentially pandemic viral progeny. The zoonotic nature of influenza A virus can generate infections in humans with animal-origin viruses. Avian-origin influenza A virus has caused transmissions in humans, including severe cases and deaths, with influenza A H5N1 being the most prominent. It is important to take preventive and control measures in case of an increase in influenza cases in migratory birds to prevent possible pandemics in Chile and the world.

Rastros epidêmicos nas fímbrias da dor: a memória da gripe espanhola na perspectiva da história local, Botucatu (SP), 1918 / Traces of epidemics in the fringes of pain: memory of Spanish flu from a local history perspective, Botucatu (São Paulo state), 1918

Resumo O artigo perscruta sob a perspectiva da história local de que forma a memória do sofrimento que cercou a epidemia de gripe espanhola de 1918 em Botucatu (interior paulista) foi reconvocada, tensionada e transmutada ao longo do processo histórico, produzindo representações em estratégias e práticas, e apreensões como constituintes de uma realidade social que produz sentidos. Para essa operação historiográfica, coligiram-se vestígios históricos em diversos arquivos botucatuenses, entre setembro e outubro de 2021, buscando desvelar processos históricos aglutinados e depositados entre as fibras e fímbrias sociais e que, sob afecção da temporalidade, se movimentam, se reelaboram e trazem à tona a inefável marca da gripe espanhola.

Abstract This article takes a local history perspective to scrutinize how the memory of suffering that surrounded the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 in Botucatu, São Paulo state, has been evoked, challenged, and transmuted over time, producing representations in strategies and practices, and understandings that end up constituting a meaning-making social reality. In this historiographic endeavor, historical vestiges were brought together from a variety of the city's archives between September and October 2021 in a bid to reveal the historical processes that were accreted and deposited in the social fabric and fibers, and which, under the processes of time, were changed and reworked, bringing forth the ineffable mark of Spanish flu.

Tudo pela hora da morte! História, epidemias e desigualdades / Everything for an arm and a leg! History, epidemics, and inequalities

Resumo Assentado na interlocução entre os campos da História e da Saúde Coletiva e provocado pela historicidade do tempo presente, este artigo propõe avanços epistêmicos na discussão sobre o término das epidemias. Para tanto, se vale de operação historiográfica em vasto corpo documental, para apontar os impactos decorrentes da Gripe Espanhola de 1918 em Botucatu, cidade do interior paulista, na perspectiva do aprofundamento das desigualdades presentes nesta localidade nas décadas subsequentes à epidemia. Conclui apontando que, para além dos efeitos imediatos provocados pelo fenômeno epidêmico, ao arrefecer na dimensão biológica, a epidemia de Gripe Espanhola seguiu seu curso, alterando condicionantes sociais e culturais, bem como incidindo sobre estruturas sócio-históricas e em nossa corporeidade, tornando-se acontecimento histórico de longa duração. Desta forma, pode-se depreender que a compreensão das forças históricas que operam nos avanços e recuos em Saúde Coletiva podem alavancar enfrentamentos concretos às iniquidades, junto à retomada de um projeto civilizatório de transformação social no país, assentado na democracia, na justiça social e na defesa radical da vida.

Abstract Based on the dialogue between the fields of History and Public Health and provoked by the historicity of the present time, this article proposes epistemic advances in the discussion about the end of epidemics. To that end, it uses a historiographical operation in a vast body of documents, to point out the impacts resulting from the Spanish Flu of 1918 in Botucatu, a city in the interior of São Paulo, from the perspective of the deepening of inequalities in this locality in the decades following the epidemic. It concludes by pointing out that, in addition to the immediate effects caused by the epidemic phenomenon, when the Spanish Flu epidemic cooled down in the biological dimension, it followed its course, altering social and cultural conditions and affecting socio-historical structures and our corporeality, becoming a long-term historical event. Thus, we can infer that understanding the historical forces that operate in the advances and setbacks in Public Health can leverage concrete confrontations with inequities, along with the resumption of a civilizing project of social transformation in the country, based on democracy, social justice, and the radical defense of life.

Influenciadores da desinformação nas pandemias de gripe espanhola e Covid-19: um estudo documental / Disinformation influencers in the spanish flu and covid-19 pandemics: a documentary study

Resumo: Introdução: Tão rápidas e destrutivas quanto a doença pandêmica,a propagação de inverdades em cenários de pandemias tem levado a muitas mortes. Para tanto, intervenções contrainfodêmicas são hoje um dos maiores desafios para o setor de saúde Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender as confluências da desinformação na gripe espanhola e na Covid-19 e como atuam os influenciadores de notícias falsas no campo da saúde brasileira. Método: Trata-se de estudo documental com abordagem qualitativa feita por meio da triangulação de dados em diferentes fontes e nos períodos da gripe espanhola (de 1918 a 1920) e da Covid-19 (de 2020 a 2021). Resultado: Observou-se que as pandemias foram e continuam cenários férteis para a produção e propagação dos influenciadores da desinformação e que se faz necessário problematizar os desafios da formação do trabalhador em tempos de modernidade líquida e em contextos de infodemias, já que os discursos profissionais têm sido fragilizados diante da desinformação. Conclusão: O estudo possibilitou compreender as confluências da desinformação entre a gripe espanhola e a Covid-19, e o papel da formação em saúde no enfrentamento da disseminação em massa de notícias falsas na saúde brasileira.

Abstract: Introduction: As fast and destructive as the pandemic disease is the spread of untruths in pandemic scenarios, which led to many deaths. Therefore, counter-infodemic interventions are currently one of the biggest challenges for the health sector. Objective: To understand the convergence of disinformation on the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 and how fake news influencers act in the Brazilian health field. Method: this is a documentary study with a qualitative approach, carried out through the triangulation of data from different sources and in the periods of the Spanish Influenza (1918 to 1920) and COVID-19 (2020 to 2021). Result: It was observed that the pandemics were and continue to be fertile scenarios for the production and dissemination of disinformation influencers and that it is necessary to problematize the challenges of worker training in times of liquid modernity and in contexts of infodemics, since the professional discourses have been weakened bydisinformation. Conclusion: the study allowed us to understand the convergence of disinformation between the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 and the role of health education when facing the mass dissemination of fake news in the Brazilian health field.

Lessons from the past in the present: news from the Spanish flu pandemic to COVID-19 / Lecciones del pasado en el presente: noticias de la pandemia de gripe española al COVID-19 / Lições do passado no presente: notícias da pandemia de gripe espanhola à Covid-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the health conducts for combating the Spanish flu and its relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: study from the perspective of microhistory, with analysis of articles published in Revista da Semana on the Spanish flu, having as criteria publications with the term "epidemic" referring to the Spanish flu or influenza in the period of the epidemic outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Federal District. Results: 18 records, organized in three thematic axes: political, 4; social, 11; care, 3, were found. Final considerations: the lessons left by the Spanish flu epidemic in coronavirus times will be changes in the political, social and care field as marks of major epidemics.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la conducta sanitaria para combatir la gripe española y su relación con la pandemia COVID-19 en Río de Janeiro. Métodos: estudio desde la perspectiva de la microhistoria, con análisis de los artículos publicados en la Revista da Semana sobre la gripe española, utilizando como criterio las publicaciones con el término "epidemia" referida a la gripe española o influenza en el período de la epidemia y brote circunscrito en Río de Janeiro, Distrito Federal. Resultados: se encontraron 18 registros organizados en tres ejes temáticos: político, 4; social, 11; de atención, 3. Consideraciones finales: las lecciones dejadas por la epidemia de gripe española en tiempos de coronavirus serán los cambios en el ámbito político, social y asistencial como marcas de las grandes epidemias.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as condutas sanitárias para o combate da gripe espanhola e sua relação com a pandemia de COVID-19 no Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: estudo na perspectiva da micro-história, com análise de matérias publicadas na Revista da Semana sobre a gripe espanhola, tendo como critérios publicações com o termo "epidemia" referente à gripe espanhola ou à influenza no período do surto epidêmico e circunscrita no Rio de Janeiro, Distrito Federal. Resultados: foram encontrados 18 registros organizados em três eixos temáticos: político, 4; social, 11; de cuidados, 3. Considerações finais: as lições deixadas pela epidemia da gripe espanhola em tempos de coronavírus serão de mudanças no campo político, social e dos cuidados como marcas das grandes epidemias.

Constantin von Economo´s 90th death anniversary / O 90º aniversário da morte de Constantin von Economo

ABSTRACT The year of 2021 marks 90 year since the death of the neuroscientist Constantin von Economo, whose research in various areas was extremely relevant for the field of neurology. He described lethargic epidemic encephalitis, published an atlas of the cytoarchitecture of the human cerebral cortex, and conducted multiple studies in neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and clinical neurology. Von Economo's genius extended into other nonmedical fields such as aeronautics, and he had renowned artistic skills.

RESUMO O ano de 2021 marca o 90° aniversário da morte do neurocientista Constantin von Economo, ou Constantin Freiherr (Barão) von Economo. Von Economo realizou várias pesquisas de grande relevo na área da neurologia, com a descrição da encefalite letárgica epidêmica, a publicação do atlas sobre a citoarquitetura do córtex cerebral humano, além dos seus múltiplos estudos em neuroanatomia, neurofisiologia, bem como na neurologia clínica. A genialidade de von Economo se estendeu para outras áreas não médicas, com o seu grande interesse em aeronáutica, como piloto de avião, além dos seus reconhecidos dotes artísticos.

A gripe espanhola pela lente da história local: arquivos, memória e mitos de origem em Botucatu, SP, Brasil, 1918* / The spanish flu through the lens of local history: archives, memory and origin myths in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, 1918 / La gripe española bajo la perspectiva de la historia local: archivos, memoria y mitos de origen en Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 1918

Considerando que a lógica da investigação histórica assenta-se no desenvolvimento da pesquisa empírica, este trabalho discorre sobre desafios na construção de história local sobre a epidemia de gripe espanhola em Botucatu (São Paulo), diante de acervos dispersos, fragmentados, sem tratamento arquivístico e com materialidade comprometida. Discute os lugares produtores da memória e como a seleção e a articulação do passado refletem o que se pretende preservar em torno de discursos e representações locais pelos aparelhos de poder. Flagra, nesse jogo dialético entre o passado que não cessou, mas que se presentifica no poder dos arquivos e da memória coletiva, as forças sociais que atuaram na assistência institucionalizada em Botucatu, desconstruindo mitos de origem, contextualizando singularidades, historicizando iniquidades e capturando representações e expectativas sobre a ordem da cidade e a saúde do corpo, nesse espaço-tempo.(AU)

Considering that the logic of historical investigation is grounded on the development of empirical research, this study approaches challenges in the construction of local history about the spanish flu pandemic in the city of Botucatu, State of São Paulo, in view of scattered and fragmented collections without archival care and with damaged materiality. The study discusses memory-producing places and shows how the selection and articulation of the past reflect what one intends to preserve around local discourses and representations by power apparatuses. It captures, in a dialectic game involving the past that has not ceased to exist and is brought to the present in the power of archives and collective memory, the social forces that acted in institutionalized care at Botucatu. Thus, it deconstructs origin myths, contextualizes singularities, historicizes inequities, and captures representations and expectations about the city's order and the body's health, in this space-time.(AU)

Considerando que la lógica de la investigación histórica se asienta en el desarrollo de la investigación empírica, este trabajo trata sobre desafíos en la construcción de la historia local sobre la epidemia de gripe española en Botucatu - São Paulo-, ante acervos dispersos, fragmentados, sin tratamiento archivístico y con materialidad comprometida. Discute los lugares productores de la memoria y cómo la selección y la articulación del pasado reflejan lo que se pretende preservar alrededor de discursos y representaciones locales por los aparatos de poder. Pone en evidencia, en este juego dialéctico en el paso que no cesó, pero que se hace presente en el poder de los archivos y de la memoria colectiva, las fuerzas sociales que actuaron en la asistencia institucionalizada en Botucatu - Estado de São Paulo, deconstruyendo mitos de origen, contextualizando singularidades, registrando históricamente iniquidades y capturando representaciones y expectativas sobre el orden de la ciudad y la salud del cuerpo, en ese espacio-tiempo.(AU)

La encefalitis letárgica de von Economo y la pandemia de la gripe española en Bogotá y Medellín: reseña histórica cien años después

La encefalitis letárgica de von Economo es un trastorno neuropsiquiátrico de posible origen autoinmunitario, en el cual se afectan los ganglios basales. Esta reacción puede ocurrir luego de una infección aguda por diversos agentes virales o bacterianos. Dado que aparece cuando ya se ha resuelto el cuadro agudo, se ha propuesto el mecanismo del mimetismo molecular para explicar la lesión autoinmunitaria. Se han reportado diversos casos a lo largo del tiempo, pero fue con la pandemia de influenza de 1918, conocida como la gripe española, que la encefalitis letárgica alcanzó niveles de epidemia, con casos reportados hasta 1923 en diversos países. La pandemia de la gripe española se extendió a Colombia durante los últimos meses de 1918 y afectó varias ciudades, principalmente Bogotá, donde se reportó el mayor número de enfermos y muertos. Con este trabajo se busca rememorar, cien años después, el ingreso de la gripe española a nuestro país y sus principales complicaciones, entre las que se describieron algunos casos de encefalitis letárgica.

Von Economo's encephalitis is a neuropsychiatric disorder of possible autoimmune origin, which affects basal ganglia. This reaction may occur secondary to infection by different viral or bacterial agents. Given that it appears after the acute episode has disappeared, molecular mimetism has been proposed to explain the autoimmune lesion. Several cases have been reported through time, but it was with the 1918 flu pandemic, known as the Spanish flu, that lethargic encephalitis reached epidemic levels with cases reported until 1923 in various countries. The Spanish flu pandemic appeared in Colombia at the end of 1918 in several cities but it affected especially Bogotá where the highest number of patients and deaths was reported. Our purpose with the present work was to commemorate the arrival of the Spanish flu to our country after one hundred years, as well as to reflect on its main complications, which included some lethargic encepahilitis cases.

Mortalidad por Influenza pA(H1N1) 2009 en el noreste de México / Mortality from pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in northeast of Mexico

Objetivo. Determinar los factores asociados a la mortalidad por influenzapA(H1N1) en los pacientes hospitalizados por infección respiratoria agudagrave (IRAG) confirmada por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR)en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).Material y métodos. En el IMSS en la delegación de Nuevo León entre el1 de junio de 2009 y 9 de marzo de 2010 se realizó un estudio observacionalretrospectivo de casos y controles, utilizando la base de datos del Sistemade Información en Línea para la Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Influenza(SINOLAVE). Se incluyeron 278 pacientes hospitalizados con IRAG (controles)y 50 pacientes con IRAG que fallecieron (casos) debido a la infecciónpor virus influenza pA(H1N1).Resultados. Los factores asociados a la mortalidad en los pacientes hospitalizadospor IRAG debida a influenza pA(H1N1) fueron la edad (OR: 1,03IC95% 1,01-1,05) y la obesidad (OR: 4,44 IC95% 1,85-1,6), utilizando unmodelo de regresión logística.Conclusión. Podemos concluir que en la delegación de Nuevo León delIMSS, la influenza pA(H1N1) afectó principalmente a adultos jóvenes, sinembargo las muertes se presentaron en mayor número en los pacientes alincrementar la edad y en pacientes con alguna comorbilidad.Palabras clave: Influenza pandémica A(H1N1), mortalidad, infección respiratoriaaguda grave, factores de riesgo, razón de probabilidad.

Objective. To determine factors associated with mortality from pAinfluenzA(H1N1) – confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – Inhospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in theMexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). Methods. In the IMSS in the Delegation of Nuevo Leon between June 1, 2009 and March9, 2010 a retrospective observational case-control study was conducted using the database ofOnline Information System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Influenza (SINOLAVE). 278inpatients with SARI (controls) and 50 SARI patients who died (cases) due to infection withinfluenza virus pA(H1N1) were included.Results. In the logistic regression model factors associated with mortality in patientshospitalized due to SARI pA influenzA(H1N1) were age (OR: 1.03 95% CI 1.01-1.05) andobesity (OR: 4.44 95 1.85 to 1%, 0.6).Conclusion. We can conclude that the delegation of Nuevo León of the IMSS, pAinfluenzA(H1N1) affects mainly young adults, though the deaths occurred in greater numbersin patients with increasing age and in patients with comorbidities.

Influenza pandémica A (H1N1) 2009: epidemiología, características clínicas y diferencias con influenza estacional en Chile / Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009: epidemiology, clinical features and differences with seasonal influenza in Chile

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 raised questions regarding differences with seasonal influenza. Objectives: To describe the clinical features of pandemic influenza and compare them to seasonal influenza. Patients y Methods: A descriptive study that compared hospitalized adults was done between patients with confirmed pandemic inluenza in the Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, from May to July 2009 and 95 confirmed historic cases of seasonal influenza. Results: 54 patients with pandemic influenza were included, 51.9 percent were male, age of 52.8 ± 19.5 years old; 79.6 percent had chronic diseases; 16.7 percent were immunocompromised patients and 7.4 percent of pregnant women. 25.9 percent of the patients acquired the infection during the hospitalization. 31.5 percent were admitted to intermediate/intensive care units. Pneumonia was diagnosed in 37 percent, and the mortality rate was 3.7 percent. The comparison between pandemic and seasonal influenza showed less proportion of patient > 65 years of age (31.5 percent vs. 68 percent; p < 0.0001); double number of nosocomial acquisition and more cases of pneumonia and death. Conclusions: The pandemic inluenza infection affected younger people and was related with more nosocomial cases, pneumonia and mortality rates than seasonal inluenza.

La pandemia de inluenza A (H1N1) 2009 generó preguntas sobre sus diferencias con influenza estacional. Objetivos: Describir las características de influenza pandémica y comparar con influenza estacional. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de casos confirmados de influenza pandémica en adultos internados en el Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica entre mayo y julio de 2009, comparado con 95 casos históricos de influenza estacional. Resultados: 54 pacientes con influenza pandémica, 51,9 por ciento género masculino, edad 52,8 ± 19,5 años; 79,6 por ciento presentaban co-morbilidades; 16,7 por ciento inmunocomprometidos, 7,4 por ciento mujeres embarazadas, 25,9 por ciento de adquisición nosocomial, 31,5 por ciento requirió cuidados intensivos/intermedios. Se diagnosticó neumonía en 37 por ciento y la mortalidad global fue 3,7 por ciento. En la comparación con inluenza estacional, la pandémica afectó menos pacientes > de 65 años (31,5 vs 68 por ciento, p < 0,0001), dobló los casos con adquisición nosocomial y hubo más casos de neumonía y muertes. Conclusiones: La infección por inluenza pandémica afectó a un grupo de menor edad y generó mayor transmisión nosocomial, neumonía y muerte que la inluenza estacional.

Demand for care and nosocomial infection rate during the first influenza AH1N1 2009 virus outbreak at a referral hospital in Mexico City / Demanda asistencial y tasa de infección nosocomial durante el primer brote de influenza AH1N1 2009 en un hospital de referencia en la Ciudad de México

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of routine hospital indicators (consults at the Emergency Room (ER) and hospital admissions) during the 2009 pandemic of the influenza AH1N1 virus at the national referral hospital for respiratory diseases in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The outbreak was from April to mid-May 2009 and two control periods were used:2009 (before and after the outbreak),and during April-May from 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: During the outbreak total consultation at the ER increased six times compared with the 2007-2008 control period and 11 times compared with the 2009 control period. Pneumonia- or influenza-related ER consultations increased 23.2 and 15.3 percent, respectively. The rate of nosocomial infection during the outbreak was 13.6 and that of nosocomial pneumonia was 6 per/100 hospital discharges, a two-fold and three-fold increase compared to the control periods respectively. CONCLUSIONS: During the outbreak,mean severity of admitted patients increased,with a rise in in-hospital mortality and nosocomial infections rate, including nosocomial pneumonia.

OBJETIVO: Comparación de indicadores hospitalarios de rutina (consultas de urgencia, admisiones hospitalarias etc.) durante la pandemia de influenzaAH1N1 2009 en un hospital de referencia para enfermedades respiratorias de la Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El brote se consideró de abril a la mitad de mayo de 2009 y se comparó con dos periodos control: el de 2009 (antes y después del brote), y durante abril y mayo de 2007 y 2008. RESULTADOS: Durante el brote las consultas de urgencia crecieron seis veces comparadas con el periodo control 2007-2008 y 11 veces contra el periodo control de 2009. Las consultas por neumonía o influenza incrementaron 23.2 y 15.3 por ciento comparadas contra los periodos control, respectivamente. La tasa de infección nosocomial durante el brote fue de 13.6 y la de neumonía nosocomial de 6.0 por 100 egresos hospitalarios, el doble y el triple de la documentada en los periodos control respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Durante el brote, la gravedad promedio de los pacientes hospitalizados se incrementó, desencadenando un aumento en la mortalidad hospitalaria y en la tasa de infecciones nosocomiales, incluyendo la de neumonía nosocomial.

Contribución del Laboratorio Nacional de Influenza al enfrentamiento de la influenza pandémica 2009 en Cuba / Contribution of the National Influenza Laboratory to confront the 2009 pandemic influenza in Cuba

INTRODUCCIÓN: las infecciones respiratorias agudas son consideradas la causa más importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. Estas infecciones adquieren mayor significación asociadas a eventos epidémicos y pandémicos ocasionados por los virus influenza. La necesidad de una vigilancia mundial para los virus influenza fue reconocida en 1947 y condujo a la creación de la Red Global de Vigilancia de los virus influenza por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. El Centro Nacional de Influenza de Cuba pertenece a esta red desde 1975. En el mes de abril de 2009 fue reconocido un nuevo virus influenza A (H1N1) de origen porcino que circulaban en humanos, identificado como el agente causal de la primera pandemia del siglo xxi por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. OBJETIVO: llevar a cabo la vigilancia nacional del nuevo virus pandémico. MÉTODOS: el Centro Nacional de Influenza de Cuba desarrolló y organizó un diagrama de diagnóstico para la confirmación en casos sospechosos de infección por este virus. Se emplearon diferentes ensayos de trancripción reversa-reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para el tipado y subtipado de los virus influenza A. RESULTADOS: entre abril y diciembre de 2009, un total de 6 900 muestras clínicas respiratorias fueron procesadas mediante el diagrama diagnóstico nacional y 980 casos fueron confirmados y notificados a las autoridades nacionales de salud y la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Los rinovirus humanos resultaron otro de los agentes etiológicos de infecciones respiratorias agudas detectados con frecuencia. CONCLUSIÓN: mediante la estrategia nacional de vigilancia de laboratorio fue posible llevar a cabo un monitoreo efectivo de la circulación de los virus influenza y otros virus respiratorios para alertar a las autoridades nacionales de salud, con vistas a enfrentar la influenza pandémica 2009.

INTRODUCTION: acute respiratory infections are considered the most important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. These infections became more significant when associated to epidemics and pandemic events caused by influenza virus. The need for global surveillance of influenza viruses was recognized as early as 1947 and led to the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance Network (GISN). The Cuban National Influenza Centre (NIC) belongs to this network since 1975. On April 2009, the recognition of a new influenza A (H1N1) of swine origin circulating in humans was identified as the causative agent of the first pandemic in the 21st century declared by the WHO. OBJECTIVE: to carry out surveillance of the new pandemic virus nationwide. METHODS: the Cuban National Influenza Center developed a diagnostic diagram to confirm infection with the pandemic virus in suspected cases. Different PCR assays for typing and subtyping of influenza A virus were used. RESULTS: from April to December 2009, 6 900 clinical respiratory samples were processed by using this diagram, 980 cases were confirmed and notified to the national health authorities and to the Pan American Health Organization. Human rhinoviruses were other important etiologic agents of the frequently detected acute respiratory infections. CONCLUSION: with the national strategy for surveillance at lab, it was possible to effectively monitor the circulation of the influenza viruses and of other respiratory viruses in our country and to alert the national health authorities, with a view to facing up to the pandemic influenza (2009).

Estrategia cubana de caracterización molecular del virus influenza A/H1N1pdm / Cuban strategy for the molecular characterization of the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1)

INTRODUCCIÓN: en Abril de 2009 se identificó una variante del virus influenza A/H1N1 de origen porcino, lo cual determinó que fuese declarada rápidamente la primera pandemia del siglo XXI. OBJETIVO: establecer una estrategia de secuenciación nucleotídica que permitiera diagnosticar diferencialmente los virus influenza A estacionales del nuevo virus pandémico, así como obtener la mayor cantidad de información posible desde el punto de vista molecular de los genes hemaglutinina y neuraminidasa, tanto de pacientes que sufrieron una enfermedad tipo influenza como los que padecieron de una infección respiratoria aguda grave y los que fallecieron. MÉTODOS: se diseñaron e implementaron tres estrategias de secuenciación que brindaron información importante acerca del nuevo virus en Cuba. RESULTADOS: a través de la tercera estrategia se obtuvieron los resultados más completos: diagnóstico diferencial, vigilancia de las mutaciones D222G/E en la hemaglutinina y las variantes virales H275Y resistentes al Tamiflu. A pesar de no haber detectado las mutaciones mencionadas, no se puede descartar su presencia en población cubana, debido a que estas estrategias no fueron diseñadas con ese fin. Se impone diseñar un estudio para cumplir con ese objetivo. CONCLUSIONES: las estrategias de secuenciación aplicadas en nuestro algoritmo permitieron realizar el diagnóstico diferencial de los virus influenza estacional del pandémico y su caracterización molecular.

INTRODUCTION: in April 2009, there was identified a variant of the A/H1N1 influenza virus of swine origin, and shortly after the first pandemic in XXI century was declared. OBJECTIVES: to establish a nucleotide sequencing strategy for the differential diagnosis of the seasonal and pandemic influenza A viruses, and to obtain as much molecular information as possible about hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes in patients with influenza-like illnesses, in those with severe respiratory infection and in patients who died. METHODS: three sequencing strategies were designed and implemented, which also offered important information about the new virus in Cuba. RESULTS: the third strategy provided the most comprehensive results such as differential diagnosis, the surveillance of the D222G/E mutation in hemagglutinin and Tamiflu-resistant H275Y viral variants. In spite of the fact that the mentioned mutations were not detected, their presence in the Cuban population can not be ignored since these strategies were not designed for this end. It is imperative to design a study to fulfill this objective. CONCLUSIONS: the sequencing strategies in our algorithm allowed the differential diagnosis of the seasonal and the pandemic viruses, and their molecular characterization.

Infección respiratoria aguda grave en pacientes cubanos durante la ola de influenza pandémica A (H1N1) en Cuba, 2009 / Severe acute respiratory infection in Cuban patients during the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Cuba, 2009

INTRODUCCIÓN: en abril de 2009 las autoridades de salud de México reportan a la Organización Panamericana de la Salud un incremento de las hospitalizaciones por neumonía con tasas elevadas de mortalidad. El Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, notó que este incremento se presentaba fundamentalmente en las edades de 20 a 40 años. Se identificó un nuevo virus influenza A de origen porcino subtipo (H1N1) como agente causal de la primera pandemia del siglo XXI. El 26 de abril de 2009 el plan nacional de enfrentamiento a la pandemia por influenza (H1N1) es activado por las autoridades nacionales de salud de la República de Cuba y el 7 de mayo se diagnosticó el caso índice de influenza pandémica (H1N1) en Cuba. Se estableció un sistema de vigilancia integrada con confirmación de laboratorio. OBJETIVOS: detectar e identificar el virus de la influenza pandémica durante la ola pandémica. MÉTODOS: durante las semanas epidemiológicas de la 37 a la 41 se observó un alza en el número de atenciones médicas. En este período se seleccionaron para este análisis solo las muestras colectadas de pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de infección respiratoria aguda grave divididas en tres grupos fundamentales, 370 niños y adultos graves, 55 gestantes graves y 30 fallecidos. El diagnóstico fue realizado por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real para los virus de influenza pandémica y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa convencional para otros virus respiratorios. RESULTADOS: el virus de la influenza pandémica se detectó en 65, 20 y 9 casos, respectivamente. El virus de la influenza estacional A (H3N2) en 81 casos de infección respiratoria aguda grave, donde se incluyeron pacientes de todas las edades; 10 gestantes graves y en 5 fallecidos, los cuales fueron detectados por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Otros virus respiratorios también fueron monitoreados por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa a punto final. CONCLUSIONES: el análisis integral de estos resultados constituye un aporte a la vigilancia nacional y regional de los virus respiratorios para el perfeccionamiento de los programas de prevención y control de las infecciones respiratorias agudas.

INTRODUCTION: on April 2009, the Mexican health authorities reported increased hospitalization indexes caused by pneumonia with high mortality rates to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). The National Epidemiological Surveillance System of Mexico noticed that this increase mainly occurred in the 20-40 year old population. A new type of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified by laboratory studies as the etiological agent of the first pandemic of the 21st century. On April 26 2009, the National Anti-pandemic Plan was activated by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, and on May 7th, the lab-confirmed index case appeared. An integrated surveillance system with laboratory confirmation was set up. OBJECTIVES: to detect pandemic influenza virus during the pandemic wave. METHODS: the epidemiological weeks 37 to 41 witnessed a rise of the number of sick people seen by the medical services. In this period, the samples taken from patients clinically diagnosed with severe acute respiratory infection were selected for this analysis; they were divided into three groups, that is, 370 children and adults in critical condition, 55 pregnant women in severe condition and 30 fatal cases. The diagnosis of the pandemic virus was performed by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Test (PCR). Other respiratory viruses were tested by conventional PCR. RESULTS: the pandemic influenza virus was detected in 65 children and adults, 20 pregnant women and 9 fatal cases. The seasonal influenza A (H3N2) virus was identified in 81 cases of severe acute respiratory infection covering all age groups, 10 pregnant women and 5 deceased on the basis of real time polymerase chain reaction test. Other respiratory viruses were also monitored by the end-point polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS: the comprehensive analysis of these results contributes to the national and regional surveillance of respiratory viruses for the improvement of the prevention and control programs of the acute respiratory infections.

Desfecho dos casos de influenza pandêmica (H1N1) 2009 em mulheres em idade fértil durante a pandemia, no município do Rio de Janeiro / Outcomes of pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 in women of childbearing age, in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Objetivo: avaliar a letalidade entre mulheres em idade fértil durante a pandemia de Influenza Pandêmica (H1N1) 2009, tendo a presença de gravidez como exposição, no município do Rio de Janeiro. Metodologia: foram selecionados, a partir do Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan), do Ministério da Saúde, os casos confirmados de influenza pandêmica para comparação entre gestantes e não-gestantes, sendo incluídas 633 mulheres residentes no MRJ, estando 233 gestantes (37 por cento). Resultados: sete gestantes e 22 não gestantes faleceram no episódio de gripe, não se evidenciando um risco maior de óbito entre as gestantes (Risco relativo=0,53 [IC95 por cento: 0,22-1,27]). Conclusão: apesar de não ter sido evidenciada associação entre gestação e óbito, a infecção pelo vírus (H1N1) em gestantes deve ser acompanhada cuidadosamente, principalmente na presença de fatores de risco.

Objective: to compare the death rate among women of childbearing age during the Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 in Rio de Janeiro considering pregnancy exposure. Methodology: confirmed cases were selected from the National Disease Reporting System (SinanWeb) of Brazil’s Ministry of Health, and pregnant were compared to non-pregnant women. 633 patients were included and 233 of them (37 percent) were pregnant when reported. Results: seven pregnant and 22 non-pregnant women died during the flu episode, but we failed to elicit a greater risk of death among those who were pregnant (Relative Risk=0.53 [95 percent CI 0.22-1.27]). Conclusion: although no evidence of association of pregnancy and death was found, pregnant women with the new flu should be followed carefully, especially in the presence of known risk factors.