1. Longitudinal molecular microbial analysis of influenza-like illness in New York City, may 2009 through may 2010.
- Author
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Tokarz, Rafal, Kapoor, Vishal, Wu, Winfred, Lurio, Joseph, Jain, Komal, Mostashari, Farzad, Briese, Thomas, and Lipkin, W. Ian
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RESPIRATORY infections , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *ETIOLOGY of diseases , *PUBLIC health , *HEALTH & welfare funds - Abstract
Background: We performed a longitudinal study of viral etiology in samples collected in New York City during May 2009 to May 2010 from outpatients with fever or respiratory disease symptoms in the context of a pilot respiratory virus surveillance system. Methods: Samples were assessed for the presence of 13 viruses, including influenza A virus, by MassTag PCR. Results: At least one virus was detected in 52% of 940 samples analyzed, with 3% showing co-infections. The most frequently detected agents were rhinoviruses and influenza A, all representing the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. The incidence of influenza H1N1-positive samples was highest in late spring 2009, followed by a decline in summer and early fall, when rhinovirus infections became predominant before H1N1 reemerged in winter. Our study also identified a focal outbreak of enterovirus 68 in the early fall of 2009. Conclusion: MassTag multiplex PCR affords opportunities to track the epidemiology of infectious diseases and may guide clinicians and public health practitioners in influenza-like illness and outbreak management. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of influenza-like illness remains unexplained underscoring the need for additional platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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