Characteristics of severe acute respiratory infection associated hospitalization in Yemen, 2014/15

ABSTRACT

This study aims to describe etiological agents, demographic details of patients, seasonality and underlying conditions among patients hospitalized due to viral severe acute respiratory infection [SARI] in Yemen. We carried out a retrospective descriptive analysis of data from January 2014 to December 2015. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from each patient for laboratory testing. A total of 1346 diagnostic specimens were tested, of which 733 [54%] were positive for influenza viruses. Influenza A[H3] and A[H1N1] pdm09 predominated. Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] was reported predominantly among children [41%]. Males [61%] were more affected than females. The median age was 1 year [range 0.5-94.0]. The median length of hospitalization was 6 days. Chronic cardiovascular disease was the most commonly reported underlying condition, but 67% had no documented underlying disease. Respiratory viruses, particularly RSV, adenovirus and influenza, were commonly associated with hospitalization for SARI