BACKGROUND: In seasonal influenza, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are sometimes observed, especially among young children. However, fecal excretion of seasonal influenza virus has seldom been studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of human influenza A virus in stool specimens of patients presented with symptoms of gastroenteritis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study on 651 stool specimens collected from 627 patients of all age groups presented with symptoms of gastroenteritis during a 12-month period (December 2004-November 2005). Influenza A viral RNA was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the matrix gene. Virus subtyping was performed by multiplexed H1- and H3-specific PCR. Fecal viral concentration was estimated by TaqMan-based real-time PCR. Clinical records of positive cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Seasonal influenza A (H3N2) viral RNA was detected in 7 stool specimens collected from 6 patients. Their time of presentation coincided with local influenza season. All patients were at the extreme of ages (<5 or >60 years) or had underlying comorbidities, and had concurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. All required hospitalization and 1 patient died. Two patients with underlying lymphoma had the highest viral concentrations in their stool specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza A viral RNA can be detected in stool specimens of 6 high-risk influenza patients with concurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Further investigation on the gastrointestinal involvement of seasonal influenza is required.
BACKGROUND: In seasonal influenza, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are sometimes observed, especially among young children. However, fecal excretion of seasonal influenza virus has seldom been studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of human influenza A virus in stool specimens of patients presented with symptoms of gastroenteritis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study on 651 stool specimens collected from 627 patients of all age groups presented with symptoms of gastroenteritis during a 12-month period (December 2004-November 2005). Influenza A viral RNA was detected by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the matrix gene. Virus subtyping was performed by multiplexed H1- and H3-specific PCR. Fecal viral concentration was estimated by TaqMan-based real-time PCR. Clinical records of positive cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Seasonal influenza A (H3N2) viral RNA was detected in 7 stool specimens collected from 6 patients. Their time of presentation coincided with local influenza season. All patients were at the extreme of ages (<5 or >60 years) or had underlying comorbidities, and had concurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. All required hospitalization and 1 patient died. Two patients with underlying lymphoma had the highest viral concentrations in their stool specimens. CONCLUSIONS:Influenza A viral RNA can be detected in stool specimens of 6 high-risk influenzapatients with concurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Further investigation on the gastrointestinal involvement of seasonal influenza is required.
Authors: Timothy M Uyeki; Henry H Bernstein; John S Bradley; Janet A Englund; Thomas M File; Alicia M Fry; Stefan Gravenstein; Frederick G Hayden; Scott A Harper; Jon Mark Hirshon; Michael G Ison; B Lynn Johnston; Shandra L Knight; Allison McGeer; Laura E Riley; Cameron R Wolfe; Paul E Alexander; Andrew T Pavia Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2019-03-05 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Zeynep A Koçer; John Obenauer; Hassan Zaraket; Jinghui Zhang; Jerold E Rehg; Charles J Russell; Robert G Webster Journal: J Virol Date: 2013-08-21 Impact factor: 5.103
Authors: Martin C W Chan; Nelson Lee; Paul K S Chan; K F To; Rity Y K Wong; Wing-Shan Ho; Karry L K Ngai; Joseph J Y Sung Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Hebah A Al Khatib; Shilu Mathew; Maria K Smatti; Nahla O Eltai; Sameer A Pathan; Asmaa A Al Thani; Peter V Coyle; Muna A Al Maslamani; Hadi M Yassine Journal: Pathogens Date: 2021-06-17
Authors: Thorsten Suess; Cornelius Remschmidt; Susanne B Schink; Brunhilde Schweiger; Alla Heider; Jeanette Milde; Andreas Nitsche; Kati Schroeder; Joerg Doellinger; Christian Braun; Walter Haas; Gérard Krause; Udo Buchholz Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-12-11 Impact factor: 3.240