title: Dual infections by influenza A/H3N2 and B viruses and by influenza A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 viruses during winter 2007, Corsica Island, France.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The investigation of dual influenza infection human cases is of major interest specifically for the control of new emerging influenza strains.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Using RT-PCR assays, we retrospectively assessed the prevalence of dual influenza virus infections that occurred in patients during the 2006-2007 winter season in Corsica Island (France).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-four nasal swabbing samples taken from patients suffering from influenza-like illness between February and March 2007 were analysed using a rapid influenza antigen detection test, cell culture and RT-PCR assays.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Influenza viruses were detected in 93 (69.4%) of 134 patients with influenza-like illness using the combination of classical and molecular assays. Dual respiratory infections by influenza viruses were detected in 3 (3.2%) of the 93 influenza positive patients, including two cases of infection by influenza A/H3N2 and B viruses and one case of dual infection by influenza A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 viruses. In the present report, human co-infection cases by two influenza viruses appeared as a rare event in symptomatic patients. However, the virological and epidemiological mechanisms that determine the occurrence of dual influenza infections remain to be fully investigated in further prospective multicentric studies.
authors: INSERM, UMR S 707, Paris F-75012, France. falchi@u707.jussieu.fr
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Falchi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Arena
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Andreoletti
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jacques
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Leveque
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Blanchon
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Lina
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Turbelin
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Dorléans
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Flahault
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Amoros
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Spadoni
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Agostini
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Varesi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012621:Seasons; D014776:Virus Cultivation