Contribution of systematic RT-PCR screening for influenza during the epidemic season

Med Mal Infect. 2014 Mar;44(3):123-7. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2014.01.011. Epub 2014 Mar 4.

Abstract

Objective: We assessed the systematic RT-PCR screening of patients admitted to an infectious diseases department (IDD), during the 2012-2013 influenza outbreak.

Methodology: Patients admitted with cough and fever underwent a nasopharyngeal smear for RT-PCR screening.

Results: Ninety-eight patients were admitted in the IDD, from January 1st to February 22nd, 46 were screened; 11 male and 6 female patients (17.3%, mean age of 68 years) were positive. The diagnoses made in the emergency department, before RT-PCR screening, were most frequently lung infection and sepsis, but influenza in only 4 cases. The diagnosis of influenza led to stopping antibiotics (n=4), initiating curative (n=4) and preventive (n=4) treatments with oseltamivir, and isolating patients to prevent a hospital outbreak.

Conclusion: Systematic RT-PCR screening allows a rapid therapeutic management and the prevention of hospital epidemic through appropriate isolation measures.

Keywords: Dépistage; Grippe; Influenza; PCR; Screening.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oseltamivir / therapeutic use
  • Patients' Rooms
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • Seasons
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Oseltamivir