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Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2017 Oct 9. doi: 10.1111/irv.12507. [Epub ahead of print]
Burden of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in Ghana.
Hogan B1,2, Ammer L1,2, Zimmermann M1, Binger T3, Krumkamp R1,2, Sarpong N3, Rettig T4, Dekker D1,2, Kreuels B2,5, Reigl L1,2, Boahen KG3, Wiafe C3, Adu-Sarkodie Y6, Owusu-Dabo E3,7, May J1,2, Eibach D1.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza surveillance data from Africa indicate a substantial disease burden with high mortality. However local influenza data from district hospitals with limited laboratory facilities are still scarce.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify the frequency and seasonal distribution of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in a rural hospital in Ghana and to describe differential diagnoses to other severe febrile infections.
METHODS:
Between January 2014 and April 2015 all children with a temperature of ≥38?C admitted to a district hospital in Ghana were screened for influenza A and B by RT-PCR and differentiated to subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). Malaria microscopy and blood cultures were performed for each patient.
RESULTS:
A total of 1,063 children with a median age of 2 years (IQR: 1-4 years) were recruited. Of those, 271 (21%) were classified as severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and 47 (4%) were positive for influenza, namely 26 (55%) influenza B, 15 (32%) A(H1N1)pdm09 and 6 (13%) A(H3N2) cases. Influenza predominantly occurred in children aged 3-5 years and was more frequently detected in the major rainy season (OR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.47-6.19) during the first half of the year. Two (4%) and seven (15%) influenza-positive children were co-diagnosed with an invasive bloodstream infection or malaria respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Influenza contributes substantially to the burden of hospitalized febrile children in Ghana being strongly dependent on age and corresponds with the major rainy season during the first half-year. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 28991406 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12507
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Burden of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in Ghana.
Hogan B1,2, Ammer L1,2, Zimmermann M1, Binger T3, Krumkamp R1,2, Sarpong N3, Rettig T4, Dekker D1,2, Kreuels B2,5, Reigl L1,2, Boahen KG3, Wiafe C3, Adu-Sarkodie Y6, Owusu-Dabo E3,7, May J1,2, Eibach D1.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Influenza surveillance data from Africa indicate a substantial disease burden with high mortality. However local influenza data from district hospitals with limited laboratory facilities are still scarce.
OBJECTIVES:
To identify the frequency and seasonal distribution of influenza among hospitalized febrile children in a rural hospital in Ghana and to describe differential diagnoses to other severe febrile infections.
METHODS:
Between January 2014 and April 2015 all children with a temperature of ≥38?C admitted to a district hospital in Ghana were screened for influenza A and B by RT-PCR and differentiated to subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). Malaria microscopy and blood cultures were performed for each patient.
RESULTS:
A total of 1,063 children with a median age of 2 years (IQR: 1-4 years) were recruited. Of those, 271 (21%) were classified as severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and 47 (4%) were positive for influenza, namely 26 (55%) influenza B, 15 (32%) A(H1N1)pdm09 and 6 (13%) A(H3N2) cases. Influenza predominantly occurred in children aged 3-5 years and was more frequently detected in the major rainy season (OR=2.9; 95%CI: 1.47-6.19) during the first half of the year. Two (4%) and seven (15%) influenza-positive children were co-diagnosed with an invasive bloodstream infection or malaria respectively.
CONCLUSION:
Influenza contributes substantially to the burden of hospitalized febrile children in Ghana being strongly dependent on age and corresponds with the major rainy season during the first half-year. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 28991406 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12507
Free full text