Influenza Other Respir Viruses . Results from a test-and-treat study for influenza among residents of homeless shelters in King County, WA: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial

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Influenza Other Respir Viruses


. 2023 Jan 7.
doi: 10.1111/irv.13092. Online ahead of print.
Results from a test-and-treat study for influenza among residents of homeless shelters in King County, WA: A stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial


Julia H Rogers ^{1 2} , Amanda M Casto ^{1 3} , Gift Nwanne ³ , Amy C Link ¹ , Miguel A Martinez ¹ , Callista Nackviseth ¹ , Caitlin R Wolf ¹ , James P Hughes ^{3 4} , Janet A Englund ⁵ , Nancy Sugg ⁶ , Timothy M Uyeki ⁷ , Peter D Han ⁸ , Brian Pfau ⁸ , Jay Shendure ⁹ , Helen Y Chu ¹



Affiliations

• PMID: 36610058
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.13092

Free article

Abstract

Background: Persons experiencing homelessness face increased risk of influenza as overcrowding in congregate shelters can facilitate influenza virus spread. Data regarding on-site influenza testing and antiviral treatment within homeless shelters remain limited.
Methods: We conducted a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial of point-of-care molecular influenza testing coupled with antiviral treatment with baloxavir or oseltamivir in residents of 14 homeless shelters in Seattle, WA, USA. Residents ≥3 months with cough or ≥2 acute respiratory illness (ARI) symptoms and onset <7 days were eligible. In control periods, mid-nasal swabs were tested for influenza by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The intervention period included on-site rapid molecular influenza testing and antiviral treatment for influenza-positives if symptom onset was <48 h. The primary endpoint was monthly influenza virus infections in the control versus intervention periods. Influenza whole genome sequencing was performed to assess transmission and antiviral resistance.
Results: During 11/15/2019-4/30/2020 and 11/2/2020-4/30/2021, 1283 ARI encounters from 668 participants were observed. Influenza virus was detected in 51 (4%) specimens using RT-PCR (A = 14; B = 37); 21 influenza virus infections were detected from 269 (8%) intervention-eligible encounters by rapid molecular testing and received antiviral treatment. Thirty-seven percent of ARI-participant encounters reported symptom onset < 48 h. The intervention had no effect on influenza virus transmission (adjusted relative risk 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-6.00). Of 23 influenza genomes, 86% of A(H1N1)pdm09 and 81% of B/Victoria sequences were closely related.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest feasibility of influenza test-and-treat strategies in shelters. Additional studies would help discern an intervention effect during periods of increased influenza activity.

Keywords: antiviral treatment; homeless shelters; influenza; randomized control trial; rapid molecular influenza test.