Influenza and other respiratory virus infections in outpatients with medically attended acute respiratory infection during the 2011‐12 influenza season

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Abstract
Background: Respiratory tract infections are a major cause of outpatient visits, yet only a portion is tested to determine the etiologic organism. Multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (MRT‐PCR) assays for detection of multiple viruses are being used increasingly in clinical settings.Methods: During January–April 2012, outpatients with acute respiratory illness (≤7 days) were tested for influenza using singleplex RT‐PCR (SRT‐PCR). A subset was assayed for 18 viruses using MRT‐PCR to compare detection of influenza and examine the distribution of viruses and characteristics of patients using multinomial logistic regression.Results: Among 662 participants (6 months–82 years), detection of influenza was similar between the MRT‐PCR and SRT‐PCR (κ = 0·83). No virus was identified in 267 (40.3%) samples. Commonly detected viruses were human rhinovirus (HRV, 15·4%), coronavirus (CoV, 10·4%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 8·4%), human metapneumovirus (hMPV, 8·3%), and influenza (6%). Co‐detections were infrequent (6·9%) and most commonly occurred among those P = 0·01), fever was more common in hMPV and influenza infections (P = 0·008), nasal congestion was more frequent in CoV, HRV, hMPV, influenza and RSV infections (P = 0·001), and body mass index was higher among those with influenza (P = 0·036).Conclusions: Using MRT‐PCR, a viral etiology was found in three‐fifths of patients with medically attended outpatient visits for acute respiratory illness during the influenza season; co‐detected viruses were infrequent. Symptoms varied by viral etiology.
Funding Information
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U01 IP000467)

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