Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the primary lesions, the complications and the evolution of disease in patients affected by H1N1 viral infection. Materials and Methods: 24 Patients affected by H1N1 infection, diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on throat swabs, underwent CT examination. Seven patients were hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU). In five patients the evolution of disease was monitored. The following features were evaluated: primary lesions significant for viral infection, their possible complications and the evolution of disease in controlled patients. Results: Primary lesions variously associated with each other were found in 22 out of 24 patients: ground glass opacities (19/24, 79.2%), interstitial thickening (13/24, 54.2%), centrilobular nodules (3/24, 12.5%) and consolidation (8/24, 33.3%). The following complications were observed: 3 consolidations with air bronchogram, 9 pleural effusions, 7 ARDS and 1 barotrauma. In the 5 patients who underwent follow-up (including 3 admitted to ICU), complete resolution was demonstrated in 4 cases and focal fibrotic evolution in one case. 3 ICU patients affected by ARDS died. Conclusions: In case of H1N1 virus infection. CT is an important tool for staging the disease, recognize complications and to study disease evolution
Highlights
H1N1 virus is a RNA virus belonging to the family of Orthomyxoviridae
To evaluate the primary lesions, the complications and the evolution of disease in patients affected by H1N1 viral infection
Materials and Methods: 24 Patients affected by H1N1 infection, diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on throat swabs, underwent computed tomography (CT) examination
Summary
There are two ways of spread for influenza: the endemic form caused by the B group and the pandemic one supported by the A group, such as the “Spanish” occurred in 1918-1919, the “Asiatic” in 19571958 and the “Hong-Kong” in 1968-1969. The H1N1 virus is a type A influenza virus with swine origin (SOIV, swine origin influenza virus). It infects wide varieties of warm-blooded animals, including birds, swine, horses, and humans, whereas influenza B and influenza C viruses almost exclusively infect humans and are implicated in epidemics. The large, dynamic reservoir of influenza A subtypes in animals, as well as their evolutionary adaptability, help produce new influenza strains that cause new epidemics and pandemics [1]. The first inter-human infection was reported in Mexico in April 2009 [2] and the rapid spread around the world was such that in June 2009 the WHO (World Health Organization) declared the pandemic state, as a scale 6 global emergency [3]
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