scholarly journals Acute upper respiratory tract viral illness and influenza immunization in homes for the elderly

1990 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 609-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Nicholson ◽  
D. J. Baker ◽  
A. Farquhar ◽  
D. Hurd ◽  
J. Kent ◽  
...  

SUMMARYOccupants of 482 long-stay and 33 short-stay beds in 11 Leicester City Council homes for the elderly were studied during a 30-week period from September 1988 to March 1989 to determine the incidence, aetiology, morbidity, and mortality of acute upper respiratory tract viral infections and the use of influenza vaccine.Influenza immunization rates by home ranged from 15·4 to 90% (mean 45%). There were no differences in the distribution of medical conditions by home. The highest immunization rates were seen in people with chest disease (77%), heart disease (60%), diabetes (56%), and those with three medical conditions (75%). There was an average of 0·7 upper respiratory episodes per bed per annum with a mortality of 3·4% (6/179). Half of all episodes were seen by a general medical practitioner and 81 of 90 (90%) referrals were prescribed antibiotics costing approximately £7.50 per patient. Lower respiratory tract complications developed during 45 (25%) of 179 episodes including 3 of 12 coronavirus infections, 3 of 9 respiratory syncytial virus infections, 2 of 4 adenovirus infections, 1 of 11 rhinovirus infections, but none of 5 influenza infections. Respiratory infections were caused mostly by pathogens other than influenza virus during the influenza period documented nationally. This highlights the role of coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and unidentified agents in the elderly, and questions the assumptions made in American estimates on the impact of influenza and the value of influenza vaccines.

Author(s):  
Dr Mark Harrison

15.1 Rhinovirus, 209 15.2 Influenza, 210 15.3 Parainfluenza, 211 15.4 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 211 • There are more than 100 different serotypes of rhinovirus. • Rhinovirus is chiefly limited to upper respiratory tract infections and is the major cause of the common cold....


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amilton Mouro ◽  
Luci Black Tabacow Hidal ◽  
Marines Dalla Valle Martino ◽  
Jacyr Pasternark

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of pathogens in the upper respiratory tract according to age at a tertiary care hospital in the city of São Paulo. Methods: A total of 6,144 biological material tests from upper respiratory airways were analyzed: 740 bacterial cultures, 726 virus screenings and 4,678 rapid tests for S. pyogenes. Results: The most frequently found etiological agent was respiratory syncytial virus (29.6%; 215/726). The main agents detected per age groups were: respiratory syncytial virus (25.34%; 184/726) in patients aged 28 days-3 years; S. pyogenes (9.5%; 70/740) in 3-12 year-old children; influenza virus (8.8%; 64/726) in adults (18-59 years). Conclusions: The etiologic agents of upper respiratory infections vary according to age and imply diverse clinical and therapeutic management.


Intervirology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus F. Bermejo-Martin ◽  
Alberto Tenorio ◽  
Raul Ortiz de Lejarazu ◽  
Jose M. Eiros ◽  
Vanesa Matías ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-143
Author(s):  
Robert M. Chanock ◽  
Robert H. Parrott ◽  
Mark Connors ◽  
Peter L. Collins ◽  
Brian R. Murphy

On this felicitous occasion we honor Dr Saul Krugman for his many contributions to the study and control of a wide variety of important pediatric viral diseases. In preparing our remarks we found it difficult to identify a major pediatric viral pathogen upon which Saul had not left his mark. One of the few that escaped, for reasons unknown, is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Since RSV is the major pediatric respiratory tract viral pathogen, we thought this agent might pique his interest. Those of us studying RSV need all the help we can receive from biomedical scientists of Saul's caliber. What follows is a summary of current efforts to develop improved therapy and effective immunoprophylaxis for this elusive respiratory tract viral pathogen. IMMUNITY TO RSV DISEASE The mechanisms by which the immune system protects the respiratory tract against RSV infection and disease are not completely understood. However, it is clear that infection (or reinfection) induces resistance in the upper respiratory tract that is neither complete nor long lasting.1,2 The situation is some-what more favorable in the lower respiratory tract, where infection (or reinfection) induces more substantial and more durable resistance to disease. As a consequence, cumulative immunity from multiple reinfections protects older children and adults against the more serious forms of disease involving the lower respiratory tract such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Resistance to RSV infection in the upper respiratory tract appears to be mediated primarily by local secretory IgA antibodies, which explains the transitory nature of immunity in this region.3


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