title: Spectrum of viruses and atypical bacteria in intercontinental air travelers with symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
abstract: Respiratory infections after air travel are frequent, but epidemiological data are incomplete. Using sensitive polymerase chain reactions, we studied the spectrum of atypical bacteria and respiratory viruses in travelers fulfilling the case definition of severe acute respiratory syndrome. A pathogen was identified in 67 travelers (43.2%). Influenza and parainfluenza viruses were most prevalent, at 14.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Prevalences of adenoviruses, human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses ranged between 2.6% and 4.8%. Human bocavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and Legionella, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydophila species were absent or appeared at frequencies of <1%. To our knowledge, these are the first specific baseline data for the mentioned agents in the context of air travel.
authors.affiliation: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Luciano Kleber de Souza
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panning
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Grywna
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pfefferle
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drosten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000401:Aircraft; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D014195:Travel; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification