Patterns of influenza infections among different risk groups in Brazil
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
11(4): 399-402, Aug. 2007. graf, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-460699
ABSTRACT
Influenza virus infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Influenza activity varies worldwide, and regional detection is influenced by geographic conditions, demographic and patient-risk factors. We assessed influenza activity and patterns of seasonality during three consecutive years (2001-2003) in three risk groups in São Paulo city. Four-hundred-twelve outpatients with acute respiratory infection were subjected to epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations; these included community population (N=140), health-care workers (N=203), and renal-transplanted patients (N=69). Nasal wash samples were tested by direct fluorescent assay for influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Overall Influenza positivity was 21 percent, and a progressive decline was observed in all groups over time. Influenza A and B co-circulated at the same time in 2001 and 2002, but not in 2003. Low influenza-vaccination rates (19 percent) were reported by health-care workers. Unexpected low levels of etiological agents were detected in renal-transplanted patients, and infected cases were less symptomatic than immunocompetent patients. Based on this study, we conclude that health-care worker-immunization programs should be implemented and the clinical patterns of infected influenza patients should be used as a guide for better case-definition criteria for adequate influenza surveillance, particularly for renal-transplant patients.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Influenza, Human
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Etiology study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2007
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
São Paulo Federal University/BR
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