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. 2014 Sep 22;1(2):ofu086.
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofu086. eCollection 2014 Sep.

Other respiratory viruses are important contributors to adult respiratory hospitalizations and mortality even during peak weeks of the influenza season

Rodica Gilca  1 , Rachid Amini  2 , Monique Douville-Fradet  2 , Hugues Charest  3 , Josée Dubuque  4 , Nicole Boulianne  5 , Danuta M Skowronski  6 , Gaston De Serres  1
Affiliations

Other respiratory viruses are important contributors to adult respiratory hospitalizations and mortality even during peak weeks of the influenza season

Rodica Gilca et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: During peak weeks of seasonal influenza epidemics, severe respiratory infections without laboratory confirmation are typically attributed to influenza.

Methods: In this prospective study, specimens and demographic and clinical data were collected from adults admitted with respiratory symptoms to 4 hospitals during the 8-10 peak weeks of 2 influenza seasons. Specimens were systematically tested for influenza and 13 other respiratory viruses (ORVs) by using the Luminex RVP FAST assay.

Results: At least 1 respiratory virus was identified in 46% (21% influenza, 25% noninfluenza; 2% coinfection) of the 286 enrolled patients in 2011-2012 and in 62% (46% influenza, 16% noninfluenza; 3% coinfection) of the 396 enrolled patients in 2012-2013. Among patients aged ≥75 years, twice as many ORVs (32%) as influenza viruses (14%) were detected in 2011-2012. During both seasons, the most frequently detected ORVs were enteroviruses/rhinoviruses (7%), respiratory syncytial virus (6%), human metapneumovirus (5%), coronaviruses (4%), and parainfluenza viruses (2%). Disease severity was similar for influenza and ORVs during both seasons.

Conclusions: Although ORV contribution relative to influenza varies by age and season, during the peak weeks of certain influenza seasons, ORVs may be a more frequent cause of elderly hospitalization than influenza.

Keywords: adults; elderly; hospitalization; influenza; mortality; respiratory viruses.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Sentinel laboratory surveillance tests in Québec and number of patients enrolled in the study by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) week. Abbreviation: RSV, respiratory syncytial virus.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Study flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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