Viral aetiology influenza like illnesses in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (2010–2012)

• Published in: Journal of neurovirology Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 35
• Main Authors: Delangue, Julie, Roca Sanchez, Yelin, Piorkowski, Géraldine, Bessaud, Maël, Baronti, Cécile, Thirion-Perrier, Laurence, Mafayle, Roxana Loayza, Ardaya, Cinthia Avila, Aguilera, Gabriela Añez, Guzman, Jimmy Revollo, Riera, Javier Lora, de Lamballerie, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Springer-Verlag 24.02.2014; BioMed Central Ltd; BioMed Central; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis; Animals; Bolivia - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cluster Analysis; developing countries; Diagnosis; Enterovirus; Epidemiology; etiology; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza; Influenza A virus; Influenza vaccines; Influenza viruses; Life Sciences; Lung diseases; Male; Microbiology and Parasitology; Middle Aged; Mortality; Nasopharynx - virology; patients; Phylogeny; public health; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - virology; Rhinovirus; Risk factors; Santé publique et épidémiologie; vaccination; vaccines; Viral infections; Virology; Virus Cultivation; Virus Diseases - epidemiology; Virus Diseases - virology; viruses; Viruses - classification; Viruses - genetics; Viruses - isolation & purification; Young Adult; Australia; Bolivia; Asia; North America; Europe; South America; South America; Influenza phylogeny; BOLIVIE; Influenza; Respiratory infections; Influenza like illness; Bolivia; Epidemiology; A(H1N1)pdm2009
• ISSN: 1743-422X; 1355-0284; 1743-422X
• DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-11-35

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections represent a serious public health issue worldwide but virological aetiologies of Influenza Like Illnesses (ILIs) remain largely unknown in developing countries. This study represents the first attempt to characterise viral aetiologies of ILIs in Bolivia. METHODS: It was performed in Santa Cruz city from January 2010 to September 2012, based on 564 naso-pharyngeal swabs collected in a National Reference Laboratory and real-time PCR techniques, viral cultures and phylogenetic analyses. RESULTS: 50.2% of samples were positive for at least one virus with influenza viruses (Flu A: ~15%; Flu B: ~9%), rhinoviruses (~8%), coronaviruses (~5%) and hRSV (~4%) being the most frequently identified. The pattern of viral infections varied according to age groups. The elucidation rate was the highest (>60%) amongst patients under 10 yo and the lowest (<40%) amongst patients ≥60 yo. Nearly 3% of samples showed dual viral infections. Epidemiological peaks were associated with a predominant virus but generally included 30-50% of infections by different viruses. Unexpectedly, the frequency of influenza in the 0–4 yo population was very low and a complete hRSV eclipse occurred in 2011. Genetic analyses indicated that distinct evolutionary lineages of Flu A(H1N1)pdm2009, Flu A/H3N2 and Flu B have co-circulated in Bolivia in the study period, originating from Central and North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasise the requirement for a reinforced epidemiological and genetic follow-up of influenza and other ILIs in Bolivia to further inform the preparation of vaccines used in the region, guide vaccination campaigns and improve the medical management of patients.