Journal List > Korean J Lab Med > v.30(4) > 1011664

Seo, Lee, Kim, Lee, and Song: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infection in Immunocompromised Patients

Abstract

Background:

Since April 2009, novel influenza A (H1N1) infection is spreading throughout the world. This infection might be fatal for immunocompromised patients who are at a potentially high risk of developing infectious complications. We investigated the detection rate and features of H1N1 infection in immunocompromised patients.

Methods:

Between August 2009 and February 2010, we examined 8,112 subjects, including 390 immunocompromised patients, for H1N1. Swab samples were taken from the nose and throat of the participants. Real-time PCR was performed to identify H1N1 viral genes.

Results:

Positive results were obtained in 2,953/8,112 (36.4%) subjects and 46/390 (11.8%) immuno-compromised patients. H1N1 was identified in 8.7% patients with solid cancer, 12.9% patients with hematologic malignancy, 16.7% patients with chronic renal disease, and 14.5% patients with kidney transplantation. The mean cycle threshold (Ct) value of PCR was significantly lower (P<0.05) in patients with hematologic malignancy as compared to that in patients with chronic renal disease and control subjects. Four patients died due to respiratory complications.

Conclusions:

The detection rate of H1N1 was significantly lower in immunocompromised patients than in other patients. The Ct value of patients with hematologic malignancy was significantly lower than that of other immunocompromised patients and control subjects.

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Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Comparison of cycle threshold (Ct) values of real-time PCR. ∗Significantly lower than CRD with dialysis and control (P<0.05). Abbreviations: CRD, chronic renal disease; KT, kidney transplantation.
kjlm-30-388f1.tif
Table 1.
Detection rate of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in suspected patients
  N of patients examined N of patients with positive result (%)
Total patients 8,112 2,953 (36.4)
Immunocompromised 390 46 (11.8)
Solid cancer 195 17 (8.7)
Hematologic malignancy 62 8 (12.9)
CRD with dialysis 78 13 (16.7)
Post-KT 55 8 (14.5)

P<0.0001.

Abbreviations: CRD, chronic renal disease; KT, kidney transplantation.

Table 2.
Characteristics of 46 immunocompromised patients infected with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus
Characteristics N of patients (%)
Sex  
Male 23 (50)
Female 23 (50)
Age  
≤18 7 (15.2)
19-64 34 (73.9)
≥65 5 (10.9)
Clinical Manifestations at first visit  
Fever 35 (76.1)
Cough 35 (76.1)
Sputum 24 (52.2)
Myalgia 16 (34.5)
Sore throat 12 (26.1)
Rhinorrhea 12 (26.1)
Headache 9 (19.6)
Dyspnea 5 (10.9)
General weakness 4 (8.7)
Table 3.
Characteristics of deceased patients with novel influenza A (H1N1) infection
Patients Underlying disease Age Sex Ct values Fatal complication Days from H1N1 diagnosis to death
1 End stage renal disease 51 F 35.2 Acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to pneumonia 14
2 End stage renal disease 68 M 31.6 Septic shock due to pneumonia 3
3 AML 1 M 20.9 Septic shock due to pneumonia 24
4 NK cell lymphoma 55 F 15.9 Brain hemorrhage, fungal pneumonia 4

Abbreviations: Ct, cycle threshold.

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