Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
ISSN: 2161-0517
Terezinha Maria de Paiva1, Daniela Bernardes Borges da Silva1, Katia Corrêa de Oliveira Santos1, Margarete Aparecida Benega1, Renato de Sousa Paulino1, Norio Augusto Sasaki1, Patricia Marques Ferreira2, Telma Regina M Pinto Carvalhanas2 and Stephen Lindstrom3
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Virol-mycol
Introduction: Influenza virus surveillance has been improved in Brazil since the experienced pandemic outcomes affecting mainly children under 2 years old. Severe complications due to influenza virus infection are most common in this age group. Taking into account that children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old; it is of crucial importance to maintain an active surveillance towards to provide data to guide influenza immunization in this population. Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the incidence of influenza virus infection in different children age groups under five years old. Material & Methods: During influenza season 2013, a total of 5503 nasopharyngeal specimens, collected from children under 5 years old with influenza like illness, were sent to Institute Adolfo Lutz (IAL) by influenza Sentinel Hospitals and Public and Private Health Services. Nasopharyngeal specimens collected from January through December 2013 were submitted to CDC rRT-PCR towards to identify influenza virus infection. Results: From the 5503 investigated samples, 527(9.57%) were positive by rRT-PCR, the following influenza virus strains has been identified: H3 strain 41(8%); B strain 229(43%); A (H1N1) pdm09 strain 257(49%). The highest incidence of influenza infection was observed in 7 months-1 yr age group 190(36%), following: 2 yr-3 yr age group 113 (22%); 2 months-6 yr group 94(18%); 4 yr-5 yr age group 97(18%). The lowest incidence was observed into 0-1 month age group 33(8%). This investigation also demonstrates similar incidence between 2 m-6 yr and 4 yr-5 yr. Conclusion: Taking into account that children under 5 years of age are at risk of developing serious complications, from influenza infection, the informationâ??s generated by this investigation will contribute with public health authorityâ??s decisions towards the prevention and control of the disease in Brazil.