title: Contribution of systematic RT-PCR screening for influenza during the epidemic season.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the systematic RT-PCR screening of patients admitted to an infectious diseases department (IDD), during the 2012-2013 influenza outbreak.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients admitted with cough and fever underwent a nasopharyngeal smear for RT-PCR screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-eight patients were admitted in the IDD, from January 1st to February 22nd, 46 were screened; 11 male and 6 female patients (17.3%, mean age of 68 years) were positive. The diagnoses made in the emergency department, before RT-PCR screening, were most frequently lung infection and sepsis, but influenza in only 4 cases. The diagnosis of influenza led to stopping antibiotics (n=4), initiating curative (n=4) and preventive (n=4) treatments with oseltamivir, and isolating patients to prevent a hospital outbreak.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic RT-PCR screening allows a rapid therapeutic management and the prevention of hospital epidemic through appropriate isolation measures.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine E, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar, France. Electronic address: martin.martinot@ch-colmar.fr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinot
authors.affiliation: Service d'hygiène hospitalière, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France; Service de microbiologie, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine E, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine E, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sagot
authors.affiliation: Service d'hygiène hospitalière, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France; Service de microbiologie, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Souply
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine E, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mothes
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine E, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohseni-Zadeh
authors.affiliation: Service d'hygiène hospitalière, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France; Service de microbiologie, hôpital Pasteur, 68000 Colmar, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Briel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053139:Oseltamivir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012621:Seasons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D053139:Oseltamivir
keywords: Dépistage; Grippe; Influenza; PCR; Screening