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. 2012 Dec 15;206 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S29-35.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis573.

Viral etiology of influenza-like illnesses in Cameroon, January-December 2009

Richard Njouom  1 , Elsie Laban Yekwa, Pierre Cappy, Astrid Vabret, Pascal Boisier, Dominique Rousset
Affiliations

Viral etiology of influenza-like illnesses in Cameroon, January-December 2009

Richard Njouom et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: No information is available on the viral etiology of upper respiratory tract infections in Cameroon.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting at 14 sentinel clinics located across the country from January through December 2009. The specimens were tested using real-time and multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction methods for the detection of 15 RNA respiratory viruses.

Results: We detected at least 1 respiratory virus in 365 of 561 specimens (65.1%). Overall, influenza virus was the most commonly detected virus (28.2% of specimens), followed by human rhinovirus (17.8%); parainfluenza virus (PIV) types 1-4 (7.5%); enterovirus (5.9%); respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 5.7%); human coronavirus (HCoV) OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1 (5.3%); and human metapneumovirus (HMPV; 5.0%). RSV (26 of 31 specimens [83.9%]), PIV (30 of 39 [76.9%]), and HRV (64 of 99 [64.6%]) were most common among children <5 years of age. Coinfections were found in 53 of 365 positive specimens (14.5%), and most (71.7%) were in children <5 years of age. While influenza virus, enterovirus, RSV, and HMPV had a defined period of circulation, the other viruses were detected throughout the year.

Conclusions: We found that respiratory viruses play an important role in the etiology of ILI in Cameroon, particularly in children <5 years of age.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Location of the sentinel sites for influenza-like illness detection and climatic and ecosystem characteristics in Cameroon.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of positive samples (bars) and detection rate (line) of the surveyed viruses, by month, Cameroon, 2009.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of positive samples (bars) and detection rate (line) of the surveyed viruses, by month, Cameroon, 2009.
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