[Respiratory virus infections in adult patients hospitalized in an internal medicine unit]

Rev Med Chil. 2014 Jun;142(6):696-701. doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872014000600002.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: Respiratory viral infections (RVi) can be associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations.

Aim: To investigate the frequency and clinical manifestations of RVi among adult patients during winter hospitalizations.

Patients and methods: All patients admitted to the hospital with flu like disease and those with fever or exacerbation of any underlying disease during hospitalization without an evident cause, were prospectively enrolled. A direct immunofluorescence (DIF) of nasopharyngeal aspirate for influenza A (IA) and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and metapneumovirus, was performed. Epidemiological and clinical data were recorded.

Results: Between May and September 2012, 975 adults were admitted to the Internal Medicine Unit of Puerto Montt Hospital and in 128 (13%) patients, DIF was carried out. DIF was positive in 44 patients (34%) aged 65 ± 20 years, 68.2% females, corresponding to 4.5% of total hospitalizations. Eighty six percent of the latter had at least one co-morbidity, mainly asthma and chronic respiratory diseases in 34.1%, diabetes in 29.5%, cardiac problems in 25% and congestive heart failure in 20.5%. The most common RVi were RSV (n = 21, 48%) and IA (n = 17, 39%). Six patients had a nosocomial RVi. Patients infected with IA had a significantly higher frequency of fever and bronchial hyper reactivity than those infected with RSV. RVi were associated with exacerbation of underlying disease in 62% of cases and pneumonia in 27%. Two patients had a viral pericarditis.

Conclusions: RVi are an important cause of adult morbidity and their detection should be routine in adult patients hospitalized during winter.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chile / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology
  • Seasons
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult