Articles: pandemics.
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Clinical and epidemiological data of pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection in solid-organ transplant recipients have been described, but scarce data compare these outcomes with nonimmunocompromised patients. ⋯ No significant differences in morbidity and mortality were observed comparing KT and non-KT patients infected with pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus.
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Multicenter Study
Clinical characteristics of pediatric hospitalizations associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Northern Bavaria, Germany.
The 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (PIA) virus infected large parts of the pediatric population with a wide clinical spectrum and an initially unknown complication rate. The aims of our study were to define clinical characteristics and outcome of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009-associated hospitalizations (PIAH) in children <18 years of age. All hospitalized cases of children <18 years of age with laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in the region of Wuerzburg (Northern Bavaria, Germany) between July 2009 and March 2010 were identified. For these children a medical chart review was performed to determine their clinical characteristics and complications. ⋯ Most PIAH demonstrated a benign course of disease. However, six children (6%) needed treatment at an intensive care unit for severe complications.
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Review
Severe influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection: a single centre experience and review of the literature.
The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century started in April 2009 with an outbreak of swine origin influenza A(H1NI)2009 in Mexico and the United States. While generally a mild disease affecting mostly school-aged children and young adults, most attention went to severe cases of pneumonia in young previously healthy individuals or individuals belonging to a risk group. In this article we review the literature on the presentation and management of severe cases of influenza A(H1N1)2009 in the intensive care unit (ICU), and describe our own experience in a tertiary referral centre with ECMO facilities. ⋯ The value of the use of corticosteroids is under discussion. Despite advances in management strategies, mortality and morbidity in these severe cases remains high. In the first influenza season after the pandemic, winter 2010/2011, influenza A(H1N1)2009 is the major influenza A strain in Europe, resulting in reports with increased mortality and morbidity compared to pre-pandemic seasonal influenza. "Continuing vigilance for severe influenza in patients not belonging to the classical influenza risk group might still be warranted for the upcoming influenza season".