Author/Editor		Prosenc, Katarina; Sočan, Maja
Title		Epidemiological and virological surveillance of influenza and influenza like illness in Slovenia
Translated title		Epidemiološki i virološki nadzor influence i influenci slične bolesti u Sloveniji
Type		članek
Source		Rad Hrvat Akad Znan Umjet, Med Znan
Vol. and No.		Letnik 30
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 37-51
Language		eng
Abstract		The number of patients with acute respiratory infections rises sharply shortly after the influenza virus appears in population. Consequenily, the hospitalization and mortality rates increase. Several indicators may be used to measure the burden-of-illness caused by the influenza virus: incidence rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) or acute respiratory illness (ARI), crude or cause-specific: mortality rare, sick-live or monitoring the over the counter (OTC) rnedication sales. Two indicators have been measured in Slovenia since 1999: the ILI and ARI incidence rates in approximately 4% of the population. Multiplex Reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was used as a screening method for the detection of influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses and enteroviruses in nasal and/or throat swabs. All positive samples were further propagated in the corresponding cell culture line. RT-PCR was used for fast deterrnination of hemaglutinins (H1, H3) and neuraminidases (N1, N2) of influenza A viruses. The antigenic subtype of the samples isolated on the cell culture was determined by means of a hemaglutination inhibition assay and confirmed in the WHO European Reference Centre for Infiluenza. In the 2004/2005 season, the ILI incidence rate was at highest in weeks 5, 6 and 7 of the year 2005, when it reached its peak value (392/100,000). The higliest ARI incidence rate was recorded in the period from 31st January to 6th February, and remained elevated for the following two weeks. Samples were taken from 793 pntients with clinical signs of ILI. The influenza A or B virus was detected in 15,2% of patients. One third of the influenza A cases were of the H1N1 subtype, while others were H3N2. Enteroviral infection was relatively common in the past season (15.8% of patients). (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		INFLUENZA RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS INFLUENZA A VIRUS INFLUENZA B VIRUS SEASONS INCIDENCE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION SLOVENIA