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Is there a clinical difference between influenza A and B virus infections in hospitalized patients? : Results after routine polymerase chain reaction

tetano

Editor, Senior Moderator
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2019 Jun 18. doi: 10.1007/s00508-019-1519-0. [Epub ahead of print]
[h=1]Is there a clinical difference between influenza A and B virus infections in hospitalized patients? : Results after routine polymerase chain reaction point-of-care testing in the emergency room from 2017/2018.[/h] Karolyi M[SUP]1[/SUP], Pawelka E[SUP]2[/SUP], Daller S[SUP]3[/SUP], Kaczmarek C[SUP]3[/SUP], Laferl H[SUP]1[/SUP], Niculescu I[SUP]1[/SUP], Schrader B[SUP]3[/SUP], St?tz C[SUP]3[/SUP], Zoufaly A[SUP]1[/SUP], Wenisch C[SUP]1[/SUP].
[h=3]Author information[/h]

[h=3]Abstract[/h] [h=4]PURPOSE:[/h] The clinical presentation, complications and mortality in molecularly confirmed influenza A and B infections were analyzed.
[h=4]METHODS:[/h] This retrospective observational single-centre study included all influenza positive patients older than 18 years who were hospitalized and treated at the flu isolation ward during 2017/2018. The diagnosis was based on point-of-care tests with the Alere[SUP]TM[/SUP].
[h=4]RESULTS:[/h] Of the 396 patients tested positive for influenza, 24.2% had influenza A and 75.8% influenza B. Influenza A patients were younger (median age 67.5 years vs. 77 years, p < 0.001), were more often smokers (27.7% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.021), had chronic pulmonary diseases more frequently (39.6% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.013), presented with a higher body temperature (38.6 ?C vs. 38.3 ?C, p = 0.004), leucocyte count (8 G/L vs. 6.8 G/L, p = 0.002), C‑reactive protein (CRP) level (41 mg/l vs. 23 mg/l, p < 0.001) and had dyspnea more often (41.7% vs. 28%, p = 0.012). Influenza B patients had an underlying chronic kidney disease in 37% vs. 18.8% (p < 0.001) and presented with vomiting on admission more frequently (21.7% vs. 11.5%, p = 0.027). Influenza A patients were admitted for 8 days vs. 7 days (p = 0.023). There were no differences in the rate of complications; however, 22 (5.6%) patients died during the hospital stay. The in-hospital mortality was higher in influenza A patients (8.3% vs 4.7%, p = 0.172).
[h=4]CONCLUSION:[/h] Some differences were found between influenza A and B virus infections but symptoms were overlapping, which necessitates polymerase chain reaction point-of-care testing for accurate diagnosis. Influenza A was a more severe disease than influenza B during the period 2017/2018.


[h=4]KEYWORDS:[/h] Elderly; Flu; POCT; Respiratory infection; Seasonal

PMID: 31214922 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-019-1519-0
 
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