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. 2024 Jan 30;24(1):147.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09033-5.

Clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections: a report from Canadian immunization research network serious outcomes surveillance network

Henrique Pott  1   2 , Jason J LeBlanc  3   4   5 , May S ElSherif  3   6 , Todd F Hatchette  3   4   5 , Shelly A McNeil  3   7 , Melissa K Andrew  3   8 ; Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN)
Affiliations

Clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections: a report from Canadian immunization research network serious outcomes surveillance network

Henrique Pott et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Influenza and RSV coinfections are not commonly seen but are concerning as they can lead to serious illness and adverse clinical outcomes among vulnerable populations. Here we describe the clinical features and outcomes of influenza and RSV coinfections in hospitalized adults.

Methods: A cohort study was performed with pooled active surveillance in hospitalized adults ≥ 50 years from the Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN SOS) during the 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 influenza seasons. Descriptive statistics summarized the characteristics of influenza/RSV coinfections. Kaplan-Meier estimated the probability of survival over the first 30 days of hospitalization.

Results: Over three influenza seasons, we identified 33 cases of RSV and influenza coinfection, accounting for 2.39 cases per 1,000 hospitalizations of patients with acute respiratory illnesses. Adults aged 50 + years commonly reported cough (81.8%), shortness of breath (66.7%), sputum production (45.5%), weakness (33.3%), fever (27.3%), and nasal congestion (24.2%) as constitutional and lower respiratory tract infection symptoms. The mortality rate was substantial (12.1%), and age, comorbidity burden, and frailty were associated with a higher risk for adverse clinical outcomes.

Conclusions: Older adults are at higher risk for complications from influenza and RSV coinfections, especially those over 65 with a high comorbidity burden and frailty.

Keywords: Influenza; Older adults; Outcomes; Respiratory syncytial virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

HP reports grant funding from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. TFH reports grants from Pfizer and GSK, outside the submitted work. SAM reports grants and payments from Pfizer, GSK, Merck, Novartis and Sanofi, outside the submitted work. MK Andrew reports grant funding from the GSK group of companies, Pfizer and Sanofi Pasteur and honoraria for past ad-hoc advisory activities from Pfizer, Sanofi and Seqirus, all unrelated to the present manuscript. JL and ME report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Presenting characteristics of the cases
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The Kaplan-Meier 30-day survival curve
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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