[Comparison of the prevalence of symptoms, elevated serum antibody, antibody types and complications between two outbreaks of influenza in a ward].
We experienced two outbreaks of influenza in the respiratory ward of our hospital in Feb. 1990 and Feb. 1993. Influenza-like symptoms were recognized in 42 of 67 cases (63%) in 1990, and in 22 of 56 cases (39%) in 1993. In the former outbreak, the prevalence of the serum CF titer for anti-influenza antibody was elevated in 25 of 42 cases (60%) (only the A2 antibody titer in 2 cases, B antibody titer in 4 cases in the latter one). Among asymptomatic inpatients, the serum titer was elevated in 3 of 25 cases (12%) in the former outbreak, but in 1 of 8 cases which the serum CF titer for anti-influenza antibody was measured in the latter one. A respiratory complications secondary to influenza were observed in 6 (2 cases pneumonia, 3 cases lower respiratory tract infection, 1 case asthma attack) of 67 cases during the former period, but only 1 of 56 cases during the latter period. In the two outbreaks of influenza in the respiratory ward we found the same results concerning the occurrence of influenza-like symptoms, an elevation of the serum antibody titer, but a significant difference was noted with regard to the phenotype of the prevalent influenza and the occurrence of complications.
Kobashi
Y
Y
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Hospital, Kawasaki Medical School.
Matsushima
T
T
Tano
Y
Y
Kimura
M
M
Tanabe
J
J
Adachi
M
M
Nakamura
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000914:Antibodies, Viral