Open AccessImpact of coinfection status and comorbidity on disease severity in adult emergency department patients with influenza B
Author(s) -
Zapf Alexander J.,
Hardick Justin,
McBryde Breana,
Sauer Lauren M.,
Fenstermacher Katherine Z. J.,
Ricketts Erin P.,
Lin YiChin,
Chen KuanFu,
Hsieh YuHsiang,
Dugas Andrea,
ShawSaliba Kathryn,
Pekosz Andrew,
Gaydos Charlotte A.,
Rothman Richard E.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12907
Subject(s) - medicine , comorbidity , pneumonia , coinfection , odds ratio , emergency department , confidence interval , community acquired pneumonia , logistic regression , immunology , psychiatry , virus
Background Influenza B accounts for approximately one fourth of the seasonal influenza burden. However, research on the importance of influenza B has received less attention compared to influenza A. We sought to describe the association of both coinfections and comorbidities with disease severity among adults presenting to emergency departments (ED) with influenza B. Methods Nasopharyngeal samples from patients found to be influenza B positive in four US and three Taiwanese ED over four consecutive influenza seasons (2014–2018) were tested for coinfections with the ePlex RP RUO panel. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to model adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for two severity outcomes separately: hospitalization and pneumonia diagnosis. Adjusting for demographic factors, underlying health conditions, and the National Early Warning Score (NEWS), we estimated the association of upper respiratory coinfections and comorbidity with disease severity (including hospitalization or pneumonia). Results Amongst all influenza B positive individuals ( n = 446), presence of another upper respiratory pathogen was associated with an increased likelihood of hospitalization (aOR = 2.99 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.14–7.85, p = 0.026]) and pneumonia (aOR = 2.27 [95% CI: 1.25–4.09, p = 0.007]). Chronic lung diseases (CLD) were the strongest predictor for hospitalization (aOR = 3.43 [95% CI: 2.98–3.95, p < 0.001]), but not for pneumonia (aOR = 1.73 [95% CI: 0.80–3.78, p = 0.166]). Conclusion Amongst ED patients infected with influenza B, the presence of other upper respiratory pathogens was independently associated with both hospitalization and pneumonia; presence of CLD was also associated with hospitalization. These findings may be informative for ED clinician's in managing patients infected with influenza B.