Duration of Viral Shedding in Hospitalized Patients Infected with Pandemic H1N1
Author Information
Author(s): Meschi Silvia, Selleri Marina, Lalle Eleonora, Bordi Licia, Valli Maria B, Ferraro Federica, Ippolito Giuseppe, Petrosillo Nicola, Lauria Francesco N, Capobianchi Maria R
Primary Institution: National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
The study investigates the influence of clinical presentation, antiviral treatment, and possible drug resistance mutations on the extent and duration of viral shedding in patients infected with A/H1N1pdm.
Conclusion
Severe respiratory illness is associated with delayed virus clearance in patients with A/H1N1pdm infection, and antivirals reduce viral load but only marginally affect the duration of shedding.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with pneumonia had a significantly longer duration of viral shedding compared to those without pneumonia.
- Antiviral treatment reduced viral RNA concentration in patients but did not significantly shorten the duration of shedding.
- Starting antiviral therapy within 2 days of symptom onset significantly reduced the duration of viral shedding.
Takeaway
Patients with severe flu symptoms, like pneumonia, take longer to stop spreading the virus, and medicine helps lower the amount of virus but doesn't always speed up recovery.
Methodology
An observational study based on retrospective review of clinical and laboratory records of hospitalized patients with A/H1N1pdm infection.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the hospitalization criteria changing during the pandemic.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and lacked a prospective design for sample collection.
Participant Demographics
Patients included were hospitalized for A/H1N1pdm infection, with a median age of 51 years for those with pneumonia and 26 years for those without.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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