title: [Molecular diagnosis of influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus and other respiratory viruses during the first pandemic wave in Cuba].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  the first pandemic virus of the 21st century - the influenza A (H1N1)/2009 virus-appeared in Mexico in April 2009 after triple reassortment of influenza strains of avian, human and pig origin and from there, it was spread worldwide. With the purpose of facing up to this event, Cuba adopted antipandemic measures including the virology surveillance using all necessary actions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the detection and validation of the entry of the causative agent of pandemic into the country in a fast and timely way, in addition to the definition of involvement of other viruses in the etiology of acute respiratory infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  as a result of the lab surveillance, from the 38th to the 42nd epidemiological weeks (September and October, 2009), 1 063 respiratory clinical samples were processed (nasopharyngeal exudates, bronchial aspirates and lung necropsy samples). The highest number of confirmed cases caused by the new virus was detected in this period that represented the first pandemic wave in Cuba. Diagnosis was based on molecular diagnosis algorithm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  out of the 1063 samples, 597 (56.0 %) were positive. The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was the most commonly detected etiological agent in 306 suspected cases (51 %) followed by influenza A (H3N2) virus in 228 cases (38 %). Other respiratory viruses were diagnosed in 63 clinical samples (11 %). The pandemic virus was confirmed in 50 pregnant women. Rhinoviruses were identified more frequently in those samples from patients with clinical diagnosis of bronchial pneumonia and broncholitis. Morbidity increased during this period; 225 825 medical consultations were notified due to acute respiratory infections mid-October 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the molecular diagnosis algorithm proved to be sensitive, specific and effective to assure the systematic virological surveillance in our country during the pandemic phase.
authors: Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", La Habana, Cuba. s.oro@ipk.sld.cu
authors: Suset
authors: S
authors: Oropeza Fernández
authors: Belsy
authors: B
authors: Acosta Herrera
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Piñón Ramos
authors: Odalys
authors: O
authors: Valdés Ramírez
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Savón Valdés
authors: Amely
authors: A
authors: Arencibia García
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Guilarte García
authors: Grehete
authors: G
authors: González Muñoz
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Goyenechea Hernández
authors: Mayra
authors: M
authors: Muné Jiménez
authors: Guelsys
authors: G
authors: González Báez
authors: Bárbara
authors: B
authors: Hernández Espinosa
authors: María G
authors: MG
authors: Guzmán Tirado
authors: Alina
authors: A
authors: Llop Hernández
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003462:Cuba; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D058873:Pandemics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult