title: Longitudinal molecular microbial analysis of influenza-like illness in New York City, May 2009 through May 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We performed a longitudinal study of viral etiology in samples collected in New York City during May 2009 to May 2010 from outpatients with fever or respiratory disease symptoms in the context of a pilot respiratory virus surveillance system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples were assessed for the presence of 13 viruses, including influenza A virus, by MassTag PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least one virus was detected in 52% of 940 samples analyzed, with 3% showing co-infections. The most frequently detected agents were rhinoviruses and influenza A, all representing the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. The incidence of influenza H1N1-positive samples was highest in late spring 2009, followed by a decline in summer and early fall, when rhinovirus infections became predominant before H1N1 reemerged in winter. Our study also identified a focal outbreak of enterovirus 68 in the early fall of 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MassTag multiplex PCR affords opportunities to track the epidemiology of infectious diseases and may guide clinicians and public health practitioners in influenza-like illness and outbreak management. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of influenza-like illness remains unexplained underscoring the need for additional platforms.
authors.affiliation: Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, USA. rt2249@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tokarz
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: Winfred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lurio
authors.forename: Komal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mostashari
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Briese
authors.forename: W Ian
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Lipkin
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*