Abstract
The aim of the study was to describe the effects of influenza associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) on the outcome of patients in an area characterized by endemic avian influenza. Sixty patients diagnosed with CAP and requiring hospitalization were studied for the presence of influenza. Based on the presence or absence of influenza, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 were CAP patients positive for influenza and group 2 included CAP patients negative for influenza. Laboratory investigations, CXR findings and prognosis were compared. Nasopharyngeal swabs or deep tracheal aspirates were tested for viral aetiology, and seven patients were positive for influenza AH3; one was positive for influenza AH1; seven were positive for influenza B; and one was positive for parainfluenza. Group 1 patients (n = 16) had a mean age of 56 years and group 2 patients (n = 45) had a mean age of 55 years. Significant increases in creatinine kinase and lymphopaenia were seen in group 1 patients. On CXR, interstitial infiltration was more marked in group 1. There was significantly higher mortality in group 1 than in group 2. CAP associated with influenza had a different clinical picture and outcome compared with patients without evidence of influenza.
Published Version
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