TITLE:
The Prevalence and Outcomes of Influenza Virus Infection in Heart Failure Patients in Brazil: Influenza Infection in Heart Failure
AUTHORS:
Henrique Godoy, Juliana Soares, Paula Zanellatto Neves, N.C.J. Bellei, Dirceu R. Almeida
KEYWORDS:
Influenza Virus, Heart Failure, Epidemiology
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Infectious Diseases,
Vol.5 No.3,
September
2,
2015
ABSTRACT: Background: Respiratory
tract infections were associated with acute exacerbations of heart failure
(HF). However, the role of the influenza virus, a major agent of such
infections, in this population remained unclear. Method: During the influenza
virus seasons of 2013 and 2014 we prospectively assessed influenza respiratory
illnesses in a cohort of adults primarily hospitalized for management of acute decompensated
HF and a cohort of HF outpatients. Qualitative RT-PCR forinfluenzaA (A/H1, A/H12009pdm, A/H3) and B
virus testing was performed on nasopharyngeal swab samples. Result: A total of
121 patients were included, 58.3% males (n= 70), mean age 57.7 years old
(±14.0), mean left ejection fraction 35.3 (±9.8). Of these, 50.4% were
inpatients (n= 61). The
prevalence of symptoms of respiratory infections was 28.0% (n= 34) and 4.9% (n= 6) of all samples were positive for
influenza virus. Only influenza A was detected and all cases were among
inpatients. Influenza-positive patients had a greater need for antimicrobials
(83.3%,n= 5; 16.3%,n= 9;p= 0.001) and for mechanical
ventilation (50.0%,n= 3; 3.6%,n= 2;pp= 0.16). Conclusion:Although not common, the influenza
virus infection resulted in worst outcomes, with a greater need for
antimicrobials and mechanical ventilation. Immunization and antiviral treatment
in high risk patients may positively impact their outcomes.