Infektološki glasnik, Vol. 26 No. 1, 2006.
Stručni rad
Characteristics of clinical presentation of avian influenza in humans
I. Puljiz
I. Kuzman
Sažetak
Influenza A viruses with their 16 hemagglutinins (HA) and 9 neuraminidases (NA) are widespread in migratory birds and water fowl. Most avian strains are of low pathogenicity, while few strains are highly pathogenic, especially subtype H5N1. Before 1997, there was no evidence indicating that H5N1 influenza virus could infect and cause disease in humans. The same year an outbreak caused by H5N1 occurred in Hong Kong resulting in six deaths among 18 people. Severe respiratory symptoms with radiological evidence of pneumonia were recorded in the majority of cases. Patients with lethal outcome developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Since 1997, H5N1 virus continued to evolve, with changes in antigenicity and enhanced pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Z genotype has become dominant, and has spread in an unprecedented fashion across Southeast Asia. So far, the desease was registered in 160 people, however in Turkey and Iraq with mortality rate of 50 %. Most patients have initial fever and an influenza- like symptoms. Amost all patients develop pneumonia. Besides respiratory symptoms, a large proportion of patients also complained of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The course of the illness in severe cases was characterized by rapid development of diffuse infiltrates and manifestations of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure. Furthermore, atypical presentations, and milder cases have also been reported. Common laboratory findings have been leukopenia, particularly support as well as intensive care, while treatment with antiviral agents usually started with delay.
Ključne riječi
Influenza; avian influenza; pandemic
Hrčak ID:
12707
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.3.2006.
Posjeta: 2.287 *