Surveillance for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in Southern Arizona, 2010-2014.

Wansaula Z1, Olsen SJ2, Casal M1, Golenko C3, Erhart LM3, Kammerer P4, Whitfield N5, McCotter O1,6.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The Binational Border Infectious Disease Surveillance program began surveillance for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) on the U.S.-Mexico border in 2009. Here we describe patients in Southern Arizona.

METHODS:

Patients admitted to five acute care hospitals that met the SARI case definition (temperature >37.8°C or reported fever or chills with history of cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath in a hospitalized person) were enrolled. Staff completed a standard form and collected a nasopharyngeal swab which was tested for selected respiratory viruses by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

From October 2010-September 2014, we enrolled 332 SARI patients. Fifty-two percent were male; 48% white non-Hispanic. The median age was 63 years (47% >65 years and 5.2% <5 years). During hospitalization, 51/230 (22%) patients required intubation, 120/297 (40%) were admitted to ICU, and 28/278 (10%) died. Influenza vaccination was 56%. Of 309 cases tested, 49 (16%) were positive for influenza viruses, 25 (8.1%) for human metapneumovirus (HMPV), 20 (6.5%) for parainfluenza viruses, 16 (5.2%) for coronavirus, 11 (3.6%) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 10 (3.2%) for rhinovirus, 4 (1.3%) for rhinovirus/enterovirus, 3 (1.0%) for enteroviruses, and 3 (1.0%) for adenovirus. Among the 49 influenza positive specimens, 76% were influenza A (19 H3N2, 17 H1N1pdm09, and 1 not subtyped), and 24% were influenza B.

CONCLUSION:

Influenza viruses were a frequent cause of SARI in hospitalized patients in Southern Arizona. Monitoring respiratory illness in border populations will help better understand the etiologies. Improving influenza vaccination coverage may help prevent some SARI cases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.