Reduction In Influenza Research Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Microorganisms Isolated in Community-Acquired Pneumonia in the COVID-19 Period.

Community-acquired pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and hospital admissions. The aetiology remains unknown in 30-65% of the cases. Molecular tests are available for multiple pathogen detection and are under research to improve the causal diagnosis. We carried out a prospective study to describe the clinical characteristics and aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess the diagnostic effectivity of the microbiological tests, including a molecular test of respiratory pathogens (FilmArray™ bioMérieux). From the 1st of February 2021 until the 31st of March 2022, 225 patients were included. Failure in microorganism identification occurred in approximately 70% of patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common isolate. There were 5 cases of viral pneumonia. The tested FilmArray exhibited a low positivity rate of 7% and mainly aided in the diagnosis of viral coinfections. Despite our extensive diagnostic protocol, there is still a low rate of microorganism identification. We have observed a reduction in influenza and other viral pneumoniae during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having a high NEWS2 score on arrival at the emergency department, an active oncohematological disease or chronic neurological conditions and a positive microbiological test result were related to worse outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the role of molecular tests in the microbiological diagnosis of pneumonia.

Association between handwashing and gargling education for children and prevention of respiratory tract infections: a longitudinal Japanese children population-based study.

A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the effects of handwashing and gargling education for children on the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children in Japan. The study included 38,554 children born in 2010 who were enrolled in a longitudinal study. Information on children's hygiene education regarding handwashing and gargling was collected in a survey at the age of 3.5years. Based on parents' reports of doctors' diagnoses, airway infections and influenza events in the 12-month duration before the survey were evaluated for RTIs at the ages of 4.5 and 9years. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to examine the effects of hygiene education on RTIs prevention. The supplementary analysis was stratified by household income. Children were categorized into different groups: 38% in the handwashing and gargling group, 29% in the handwashing group, 0.1% in the gargling group, and 9.7% in the no-education group. Exclusions were made for non-respondent children (23%) and those in the gargling group. Hygiene education was associated with decreased influenza at the age of 4.5years in the handwashing (adjusted RR [aRR] = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9) and handwashing and gargling groups (aRR = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8-0.9) compared with no education. However, no preventive effects on airway infections at the age of 4.5 and 9, influenza at the age of 9, or hospitalization between the ages of 3.5 and 9years were detected. Handwashing and gargling could significantly prevent influenza in low-income households (aRR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6-0.8). Conclusions: Gargling education was widespread and mostly combined with handwashing education in Japan. Hygiene education significantly affected prevention of influenza infections at the age of 4.5years, especially in low-income households. •Previous intervention studies showed handwashing and gargling are effective in preventing respiratory tract infections. •We conducted a longitudinal study on handwashing and gargling education in Japanese children and found that handwashing and gargling were widely practiced together. •Handwashing and gargling education were related to a reduction in influenza, particularly in low-income households.

The German Influenza Gap 2021 - A Multifactorial View

The end of the 2019/2020 influenza season was already registered in early summer 2020, and in the following season. There was an nearly complete absence of influenza. So far, the sometimes strict Covid-19 containment measures with contact restrictions and the obligation to wear a mask have been mentioned as reasons. The further processing of this influenza gap showed multifactorial reasons also the lack of registration of influenza cases This study looks for further reaseons and from several perspectives in order to develop strategies for a representative recording of influenza cases derive. For Evaluation the data of GrippeWeb, the RKI’s Survstat® tool and the RKI’s reporting data on the new coronavirus were used. In addition, an evaluation of billing data from the EBM from 2017 to 2022 for the GOP 32816 as well as an evaluation of data on sick leave and illness statistics from 2019 to 2021 and the consideration of inpatient and outpatient health costs based on the data requested in writing from the Federal Ministry of Health was performed. In contrast to influenza A/B, the other viral respiratory pathogens (adenovirus, parainfluenza virus and RS virus) do not show any significant reduction. From 2020, the number of reports of respiratory infections to the RKI increased from an average of 300,000 annual reports by 2019 to 1,985,985 reports in 2020, over 5,453,017 reports in 2021 and to 29,681,158 in 2022. On the other hand cases of incapacity to work due to respiratory infections fell from 31.0% in 2019 to 15.3% in 2021. Influenza-specific diagnoses (ICD: J10.1-3) were encrypted 33,727 times in 2021, in 2020 there were still 109,846. In the outpatient sector in particular, the treatment costs are falling from 2019 to 2021. The reduction in influenza A and B from 2020 as a result of the comprehensive Covid-19 control measures, including the obligation to wear masks, cannot be considered a major reason; rather, the aspect of underreporting of influenza cases plays a significant role. Therefore, the reporting quantity of the sentinal practices should be considered and the recording of incapacity diagnoses should be taken into account.

The German influenza gap 2021 - a multifactorial view

The end of the 2019/2020 influenza season was already registered in early summer 2020, and in the following season. There was an nearly complete absence of influenza. So far, the sometimes strict Covid-19 containment measures with contact restrictions and the obligation to wear a mask have been mentioned as reasons. The further processing of this influenza gap showed multifactorial reasons also the lack of registration of influenza cases This study looks for further reaseons and from several perspectives in order to develop strategies for a representative recording of influenza cases derive. For Evaluation the data of GrippeWeb, the RKI’s Survstat® tool and the RKI’s reporting data on the new coronavirus were used. In addition, an evaluation of billing data from the EBM from 2017 to 2022 for the GOP 32816 as well as an evaluation of data on sick leave and illness statistics from 2019 to 2021 and the consideration of inpatient and outpatient health costs based on the data requested in writing from the Federal Ministry of Health was performed. In contrast to influenza A/B, the other viral respiratory pathogens (adenovirus, parainfluenza virus and RS virus) do not show any significant reduction. From 2020, the number of reports of respiratory infections to the RKI increased from an average of 300,000 annual reports by 2019 to 1,985,985 reports in 2020, over 5,453,017 reports in 2021 and to 29,681,158 in 2022. On the other hand cases of incapacity to work due to respiratory infections fell from 31.0% in 2019 to 15.3% in 2021. Influenza-specific diagnoses (ICD: J10.1-3) were encrypted 33,727 times in 2021, in 2020 there were still 109,846. In the outpatient sector in particular, the treatment costs are falling from 2019 to 2021. The reduction in influenza A and B from 2020 as a result of the comprehensive Covid-19 control measures, including the obligation to wear masks, cannot be considered a major reason; rather, the aspect of underreporting of influenza cases plays a significant role. Therefore, the reporting quantity of the sentinal practices should be considered and the recording of incapacity diagnoses should be taken into account.

Budget Impact Analysis of the Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine in the Elderly in Italy

BACKGROUND: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The MF59-adjuvanted quadrivalent (aQIV) and the high-dose quadrivalent (QIV-HD) influenza vaccines have been specifically developed to protect subjects aged ≥65 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic consequences associated with the use of aQIV in the elderly population in Italy.METHODS: An Excel-based budget impact model was developed to estimate the costs of aQIV for the prevention of influenza and its complications in elderly subjects, from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service. In the base-case analysis a current scenario (with aQIV) was compared with a past scenario (without aQIV), in which only the standard quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV-STD) was available. In the scenario analysis, a current scenario was compared with a future (hypothetical) scenario, in which the market share of aQIV grows. Efficacy (or effectiveness) data of vaccines, in terms of reduction of influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations for influenza/pneumonia, respiratory, and cardiac complications, were obtained from the scientific literature. Relative effectiveness of aQIV and QIV-HD vs. QIV-STD in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza cases came from two meta-analysis of real-world studies. Epidemiological data and unit costs are collected from Italian published sources.RESULTS: In the base-case analysis the introduction of aQIV e QIV-STD was associated with a reduction of influenza and influenza-like illness – ILI (-93,171) cases, hospitalization for influenza, respiratory and cardiovascular complications (-6,823), and deaths (-1,841) and a consequent saving of € 1.9 million and € 24 million related to events and hospital admissions avoided, respectively. In the scenario analysis, the growth of the market shares of aQIV was associated with 13,602 fewer cases of influenza and ILI, 996 fewer hospitalizations, and an overall saving equal to € 3.8 million.CONCLUSIONS: aQIV reduces the number of cases of influenza and ILI, hospitalizations for influenza and respiratory or cardiac complications, and deaths in the Italian population aged ≥65 years.

Seasonal respiratory virus circulation was diminished during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic intended to address the spread of SARS-CoV-2 may also influence the incidence of other common seasonal respiratory viruses (SRV). This evaluation reports laboratory-confirmed cases of common SRV in a well-defined region of central Canada to address this issue. Surveillance data for common non-SARS-CoV-2 SRV in Ottawa, Canada, was provided by the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA) reference virology lab. Weekly reports of the number of positive tests and the proportion that yielded positive results were analyzed from August 26, 2018, to January 2, 2022. A drastic reduction in influenza and other common SRV was observed during the 2020-2021 influenza season in the Ottawa region. Influenza was virtually undetected post-SARS-CoV-2 emergence. Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses were the only viruses that remained relatively unaffected during this period. We speculated that the introduction of nonpharmaceutical measures including masking to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission contributed to the near absence of SRV in the Ottawa region. These measures should remain a key component in addressing spikes in SRV activity and future pandemics.

Antiviral Activity of Arnebia Euchroma and Amniotic Membrane against HSV-1, Rotavirus, and Influenza Virus

Background and Aims: Currently, there are antiviral chemicals used to treat viral infections accompanied by limitations such as high levels of toxicity and adverse effects in humans, the emergence of drug-resistant viral strains, low numbers, and limited diversity. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate new photochemical to obtain new therapeutic methods. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antiviral activity of Arnebia Euchroma (A. Euchroma) extract, amniotic membrane, a mixture of A. euchroma extract and amniotic membrane and its carrier (comprised of Sesam and ostrich oil) against three different viruses, including Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), influenza A, and rotavirus in-vitro.
 Materials and Methods: A methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the above compounds on Vero, MDCK, and MA-104 cell lines. After the determination of non-toxic concentrations, Tissue culture infection dose 50 (TCID50) test was performed to determine antiviral activity.
 Results: Among all the above-mentioned compounds, the combination of A. euchroma extract and amniotic membrane at the highest non-toxic concentration for the cells had the highest antiviral activity against all three viruses, leading to 1 log10 TCID50 reduction in influenza A and HSV-1 titers and 0.6 log10 TCID50 reductions in rotavirus titer when compared to the virus control.
 Conclusions: The combination of A. euchroma and amniotic membrane can be considered a new antiviral agent to treat viral infections.

Reduction of Influenza A Virus Transmission in Mice by a Universal Intranasal Vaccine Candidate is Long-Lasting and Does Not Require Antibodies.

Vaccination against influenza virus infection can protect the vaccinee and also reduce transmission to contacts. Not all types of vaccines induce sterilizing immunity via neutralizing antibodies; some instead permit low-level, transient infection. There has been concern that infection-permissive influenza vaccines may allow continued spread in the community despite minimizing symptoms in the vaccinee. We have explored that issue for a universal influenza vaccine candidate that protects recipients by inducing T cell responses and nonneutralizing antibodies. Using a mouse model, we have shown previously that an adenoviral vectored vaccine expressing nucleoprotein (NP) and matrix 2 (M2) provides broad protection against diverse strains and subtypes of influenza A viruses and reduces transmission to contacts in an antigen-specific manner. Here, we use this mouse model to further explore the mechanism and features of that reduction in transmission. Passive immunization did not reduce transmission from infected donors to naive contact animals to whom passive serum had been transferred. Vaccination of antibody-deficient mIgTg-JHD-/- mice, which have intact T cell responses and antigen presentation, reduced transmission in an antigen-specific manner, despite the presence of some virus in the lungs and nasal wash, pointing to a role for cellular immunity. Vaccination at ages ranging from 8 to 60 weeks was able to achieve reduction in transmission. Finally, the immune-mediated reduction in transmission persisted for at least a year after a single-dose intranasal vaccination. Thus, this infection-permissive vaccine reduces virus transmission in a long-lasting manner that does not require antibodies. IMPORTANCE Universal influenza virus vaccines targeting antigens conserved among influenza A virus strains can protect from severe disease but do not necessarily prevent infection. Despite allowing low-level infection, intranasal immunization with adenovirus vectors expressing the conserved antigens influenza nucleoprotein (A/NP) and M2 reduces influenza virus transmission from vaccinated to unvaccinated contact mice. Here, we show that antibodies are not required for this transmission reduction, suggesting a role for T cells. We also show that transmission blocking could be achieved in recipients of different ages and remained effective for at least a year following a single-dose vaccination. Such vaccines could have major public health impacts by limiting viral transmission in the community.

Reduction of influenza in Osaka, Japan during the COVID-19 outbreak: a population-based ORION registry study

ObjectivesThe spread of COVID-19 has affected the incidence of other infectious diseases, but there are no reports of studies using comprehensive regional population-based data to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on influenza incidence. We attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on influenza using the population-based ORION (Osaka Emergency Information Research Intelligent Operation Network) registry. MethodsThe ORION registry of emergency patients treated by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel was developed by the Osaka Prefecture government. From ORION, we included emergency patients with influenza using the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) 10 codes. Influenza incidence rate ratio (IRR) and associated 95% CI were calculated. ResultsThe number of influenza patients transported by EMS decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IRR showed a substantial decrease in influenza patients in 2020 (IRR 2020/2018 0.39, 95% CI 0.37–0.41). ConclusionsA comprehensive regional analysis using the population-based ORION registry confirmed that from January 2020, when the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection were reported in Osaka, Japan, the number of influenza patients transported by EMS decreased dramatically.

Ozone inactivation of airborne influenza and lack of resistance of respiratory syncytial virus to aerosolization and sampling processes.

Influenza and RSV are human viruses responsible for outbreaks in hospitals, long-term care facilities and nursing homes. The present study assessed an air treatment using ozone at two relative humidity conditions (RHs) in order to reduce the infectivity of airborne influenza. Bovine pulmonary surfactant (BPS) and synthetic tracheal mucus (STM) were used as aerosols protectants to better reflect the human aerosol composition. Residual ozone concentration inside the aerosol chamber was also measured. RSV's sensitivity resulted in testing its resistance to aerosolization and sampling processes instead of ozone exposure. The results showed that without supplement and with STM, a reduction in influenza A infectivity of four orders of magnitude was obtained with an exposure to 1.70 ± 0.19 ppm of ozone at 76% RH for 80 min. Consequently, ozone could be considered as a virucidal disinfectant for airborne influenza A. RSV did not withstand the aerosolization and sampling processes required for the use of the experimental setup. Therefore, ozone exposure could not be performed for this virus. Nonetheless, this study provides great insight for the efficacy of ozone as an air treatment for the control of nosocomial influenza A outbreaks.

COVID-19 Is Not the Flu: Four Graphs from Four Countries

Background: COVID-19 has caused a global public health emergency. In the absence of an effective vaccine, governments have implemented a series of behaviour-based prevention policies including physical distancing and preventive hygiene measures. These strategies are likely to impact the spread of other contagious respiratory illnesses, such as seasonal influenza. Our aim was to explore how the 2019-2020 influenza tracked with the COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation methods. A secondary aim was to explore claims that the impact of COVID-19 is no different to influenza. Methods: We linked the WHO flu database (FluNet: containing influenza virological surveillance data) and COVID-19 confirmed cases (Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resources Center) for four countries across the northern (Canada, United States) and southern hemispheres (Australia, Brazil) for the period 2016-2020. The datasets were merged and graphical presentations of the longitudinal data were provided. Findings: There was a notable reduction in influenza cases for the 2019-2020 season. Northern hemisphere countries experienced a quicker ending to the early year seasonal influenza cases (shortened by 4-7 weeks). Countries from the southern hemisphere experienced drastically low levels of seasonal influenza, with consistent trends that were approaching zero cases after the introduction of COVID-19 mitigation measures. Interpretation: COVID-19 mitigation measures are likely driving a marked decrease in influenza, including little to no 2020 influenza activity in the southern hemisphere. In spite of this reduction in influenza, there was still community spread of COVID-19, highlighting the contagiousness of SARS-CoV-2 compared to influenza. These results, together with the higher mortality rate from SARS-CoV-2 compared to influenza, provide clear evidence that the impact of COVID-19 is far greater than influenza. Another key consequence of these findings is the importance to instigate widespread influenza vaccination programmes to avoid a concomitant COVID-19 wave and influenza surge.Funding Statement: Funding for this project has come from a Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Mentoring Chair (SMC-151518, PI: Dr. Simon L. Bacon), a Fonds de Recherche du Québec: Santé Chair (251618, PI: Dr. Simon L. Bacon), Fonds de Recherche du Québec: Santé Senior Research Award (34757, PI: Dr. Kim L Lavoie), and a Canadian Institutes of Health Research COVID-19 grant (MS3‐ 173099, PI: Simon L. Bacon).Declaration of Interests: Dr. Bacon has received consultancy fees from Merck for the development of behavior change continuing education modules, speaker fees from Novartis and Janssen, and has served on advisory boards for Bayer, Sanofi, and Sojecci Inc none of which are related to the current article. Dr Lavoie has served on the advisory board for Schering-Plough, Takeda, AbbVie, Almirall, Janssen, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), and Sojecci Inc, and received sponsorship for investigator-generated research grants from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and AbbVie, speaker fees from GSK, Astra-Zeneca, Astellas, Novartis, Takeda, AbbVie, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, Pfizer and Air Liquide, and support for educational materials from Merck, none of which are related to the current article. Dr. Stojanovic and Mr. Gosselin-Boucher have nothing to declare.

The Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR): Novel Considerations as an Antiviral Treatment.

Multiple viral pathogens can pose a significant health risk to individuals. As a recent example, the β-coronavirus family virion, SARS-CoV-2, has quickly evolved as a pandemic leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been declared by the World Health Organization as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To date, no definitive treatment or vaccine application exists for COVID-19. Although new investigations seek to repurpose existing antiviral treatments for COVID-19, innovative treatment strategies not normally considered to have antiviral capabilities may be critical to address this global concern. One such avenue that may prove to be exceedingly fruitful and offer exciting potential as new antiviral therapy involves the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its associated pathways of mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1), mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2), and AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK). Recent work has shown that mTOR pathways in conjunction with AMPK may offer valuable targets to control cell injury, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the onset of hyperinflammation, a significant disability associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, pathways that can activate mTOR may be necessary for anti-hepatitis C activity, reduction of influenza A virus replication, and vital for type-1 interferon responses with influenza vaccination. Yet, important considerations for the development of safe and effective antiviral therapy with mTOR pathways exist. Under some conditions, mTOR can act as a double edge sword and participate in virion replication and virion release from cells. Future work with mTOR as a potential antiviral target is highly warranted and with a greater understanding of this novel pathway, new treatments against several viral pathogens may successfully emerge.

Pre-Treatment with Zirconia Nanoparticles Reduces Inflammation Induced by the Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus.

BackgroundNew approaches are urgently needed to fight influenza viral infection. Previous research has shown that zirconia nanoparticles can be used as anticancer materials, but their antiviral activity has not been reported. Here, we investigated the antiviral effect of zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles (NPs) against a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.Materials and MethodsIn this study, the antiviral effects of ZrO2 on H5N1 virus were assessed in vivo, and the molecular mechanism responsible for this protection was investigated.ResultsMice treated with 200 nm positively-charged NPs at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed higher survival rates and smaller reductions in weight. 200 nm ZrO2 activated mature dendritic cells and initially promoted the expression of cytokines associated with the antiviral response and innate immunity. In the lungs of H5N1-infected mice, ZrO2 treatment led to less pathological lung injury, significant reduction in influenza A virus replication, and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.ConclusionThis antiviral study using zirconia NPs shows protection of mice against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and suggests strong application potential for this method, introducing a new tool against a wide range of microbial infections.

Reduction of Influenza and Enterovirus Infection in Taiwan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is believed to be transmitted through respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contact. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has implemented timely and accurate non-pharmaceutical intervention (NPI) measures on a national level (i.e., border control, quarantine and isolation, contact tracing, delay of school opening, and suspension of mass gatherings), and promoted personal hygiene habits to the public (i.e., frequent hand washing with soap, face masks wearing). Consequently, as of July 27, Taiwan has had relatively low number of confirmed cases (458) and deaths (7), and no locally transmitted cases for more than 30 consecutive days. We observed from data collected via Taiwan National Infectious Disease Statistics System that during the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient visits for other infectious diseases such as influenza, which is also transmitted through droplets, aerosols, and contact, and enterovirus infections, transmitted via faecal-oral route or respiratory transmissions, have reduced significantly compared to previous two years. Epidemic trend for both diseases have also changed, with seasonal influenza activities ending weeks earlier than it did in 2018 and 2019, and lack of increase in enterovirus infections that is usually witnessed at the end of March. Our observation suggest the NPI measures and personal hygiene habits enforced against the COVID-19 pandemic may have inadvertently “flattened the curve” for influenza and enterovirus infections as well. This may indirectly relieve the stress on Taiwan’s health system and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 crisis. More information will be needed to verify this hypothesis.

Reduction of influenza A(H3N2)-associated symptoms by influenza vaccination in school aged-children during the 2014-2015 winter season dominated by mismatched H3N2 viruses

ABSTRACTBackground: Little is known about the vaccine effectiveness (VE) in attenuating the influenza-associated symptoms in children during the 2014–2015 influenza season in Beijing, China, in which there was a mismatch between the vaccine and circulating strain.Methods: This study included 210 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases among children, who were enrolled in 2014, from November 1 to December 31. Standard demographic information and clinical symptoms were recorded. Influenza vaccination was confirmed via a vaccination registry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate the odds of presenting with clinical symptoms among vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, adjusting for sex, age, area, BMI level, and chronic conditions.Results: Among the 210 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, 170 (81.0%) presented with fever ≥38°C. The other most common symptoms were cough (78.1%), sore throat (46.7%), nasal congestion/rhinorrhea (38.6%), headache (34.8%), fatigue (24.8%) and myalgia/arthralgia (16.2%). Approximately 9.0% (19/210) exhibited nausea/vomiting, and 2.4% (5/210) exhibited diarrhea/abdominal pain. Respiratory complications occurred in 5.7% (12/210) of the confirmed influenza cases. In 210 laboratory-confirmed cases, univariate and multivariate conducted after adjusted for the aforementioned characteristics suggested that the odds of fever ≥ 38°C were significantly reduced in vaccinated children (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.19–0.93; P = 0.033).Conclusions: Influenza vaccination may reduce the clinical symptoms of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases potentially even in the mismatching season.

Enhanced influenza vaccination among healthcare personnel prevents cases despite community burden

Influenza vaccination for healthcare personnel is not obligatory in Mexico, and compliance relies on promotion and persuasion. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of influenza vaccination compliance on the reduction of influenza and influenza-like illness among healthcare personnel throughout two consecutive influenza seasons. A retrospective study comparing cases of influenza and influenza-like illness among vaccinated and unvaccinated healthcare personnel registered in a Mexican 500-bed University Hospital surveillance and immunization registry during seasons 2015-16 and 2016-17. Total influenza immunization compliance was 21.3% and 42.7%, respectively. Reduction of the number of influenza-like illness (58 in 2015-16 and 15 in 2016-17; P = 0.0001) and confirmed influenza cases (28 in 2015-16 and 13 in 2016-17; P = 0.036) was evident. During 2016-17, influenza activity in the community was higher than 2015-16 (4800 and 1338 cases, respectively). Increased influenza vaccination compliance among healthcare personnel was associated with reduction of the overall number of influenza and influenza-like illness cases, even in the setting of high activity of the disease in the community through 2016-17 and reported suboptimal vaccine effectiveness during both seasons.

Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A

Influenza is a global problem infecting 5–10% of adults and 20–30% of children annually. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are attractive approaches to complement vaccination in the prevention and reduction of influenza. Strong cyclical reduction of absolute humidity has been associated with influenza outbreaks in temperate climates. This study tested the hypothesis that raising absolute humidity above seasonal lows would impact influenza virus survival and transmission in a key source of influenza virus distribution, a community school. Air samples and objects handled by students (e.g. blocks and markers) were collected from preschool classrooms. All samples were processed and PCR used to determine the presence of influenza virus and its amount. Additionally samples were tested for their ability to infect cells in cultures. We observed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the total number of influenza A virus positive samples (air and fomite) and viral genome copies upon humidification as compared to control rooms. This suggests the future potential of artificial humidification as a possible strategy to control influenza outbreaks in temperate climates. There were 2.3 times as many ILI cases in the control rooms compared to the humidified rooms, and whether there is a causal relationship, and its direction between the number of cases and levels of influenza virus in the rooms is not known. Additional research is required, but this is the first prospective study suggesting that exogenous humidification could serve as a scalable NPI for influenza or other viral outbreaks.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Impact on Pandemic H1N1 Vaccine Efficacy

BackgroundIn 2009, a novel influenza A (pH1N1) was identified, resulting in a pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. A monovalent pH1N1 vaccine was separately produced in addition to the seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine. Formulation of the seasonal influenza vaccine (injectable trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine [TIV] vs. intranasal live, attenuated influenza vaccine [LAIV]) was postulated to have impacted the efficacy of the pH1N1 vaccination.MethodsWe reviewed electronic health and databases, which included vaccination records, and healthcare encounters for influenza-like illness (ILI), influenza, and pneumonia among US military members. We examined rates by vaccination type to identify factors associated with the risk for study outcomes.ResultsCompared with those receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine alone, subjects receiving the pH1N1 vaccine, either alone (RR, 0.49) or in addition to the seasonal vaccine (RR, 0.51), had an approximately 50% reduction in ILI, 88% reduction in influenza (RR, 0.11 and 0.12, respectively), and 63% reduction in pneumonia (RR, 0.37 and 0.35, respectively). There was no clinically significant difference in ILI, influenza, or pneumonia attack rates among those receiving the pH1N1 vaccine with or without presence of the seasonal vaccine. Similarly, there was no clinically relevant difference in pH1N1 effectiveness between seasonal TIV and LAIV recipients.ConclusionsDuring the 2009–2010 pandemic, the pH1N1 vaccination was effective in reducing rates of ILI, influenza, and pneumonia. Administration of the seasonal vaccine should continue without concern of potential interference with a novel pandemic vaccine, though more studies are needed to determine if this is applicable to other influenza seasons.

Efficacy of Arbidol in the prevention of virus-induced exacerbations of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

To assess the efficacy and safety of Arbidol in the influenza and ARVI preventing in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was an open label and prospective during epidemic period of 2016-2017 years. 100 outpatients aged 18 to 80 years with verified asthma and/or COPD, were enrolled to therapy group, and received oral umifenovir 200 mg once daily for 14 days and then 200 mg twice a week for 3 weeks.The medical records data for the same epidemic period of 2016-2017 seasons of the same patients during witch they received no prophylaxis was taken as a control. The data analysis was made by applying parametric and nonparametric statistical methods. Seasonal and post-exposure prophylaxis using umifenovir was associated with 2.6-times reduction in influenza and ARVI morbidity compared to control. In diseased patients (ARVI) of the therapy group the number of patients with mild illness prevailed (62.2%) and was significantly differed from control (37.1%). Severity of catarrhal symptoms and intoxication, was reduced with umifenovir prophylaxis course and were mild in 67.6% and 67.6% respectively of therapy group compared with 43.3% and 46.4% of control. Influenza and ARVI complications were only detected in control group (4 cases). The percentage of patients with incidents of underlying disease exacerbation was 42% in therapy group and 93% in control group. Also, exacerbation in the therapy group were mild in 59.5% and 34.4% in control group, while moderate exacerbation prevailed in control group and was in 59.1% of cases with was significantly higher then in therapy group (39.3%). Results in more frequent use of adjuvant in the control group compared with the therapy group (81.7% and 59.5% respectively). Patients of control group had a higher risk of hospitalizations due to underlying disease aggravation (11.8%), compared with therapy group (9.5%) but these differences were not significant. Seasonal and post-exposure prophylaxis with Arbidol reduce influenza and ARVI morbidity in patients with asthma and COPD during epidemic period, frequency and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aggravations resulting in decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Also, prophylaxis with Arbidol reduced the severity of catarrhal symptoms and intoxication.

Stop the spread: prevention and reduction of influenza among older individuals.

Every autumn we prepare for the outbreak of influenza, which puts considerable strain on the NHS (Public Health England (PHE), 2016a). As part of an active public health campaign, health professionals are also involved in a flu vaccination campaign. Last winter more people than ever received a vaccination against flu as part of this national programme (Department of Health (DH), 2016). The nurse based in primary care has a key role to play in early recognition and treatment of this disease (Lee and Chuh, 2010).