Global Influenza Hospital-based Surveillance Network (GIHSN): results of surveillance of influenza and other respiratory viruses in hospitalised patients in Brazil, 2015

Raboni, Sonia M; Moura, Fernanda EA; Caetano, Braulia C; Avanzi, Valéria M; Pereira, Luciane A; Nogueira, Meri B; Vidal, Luine R; Tavares, Isabel CF; Pradel, Florence K; Picot, Valentina S; Puig-Barbera, Joan; Siqueira, Marilda M

infected patients in an attempt to evaluate the impact of influenza infections. The latter were significantly more abundant in older patients and those with severe diseases, whereas comorbidities were associated with ORV infections. These findings reflect the higher virulence of influenza viruses, but could also be a consequence of a lower adhesion to immunization among older children. No difference in mortality was observed between groups infected with different viruses. This contrasts with a previous study performed in Fortaleza, which showed significant association between RSV To know the dynamics of dispersion of influenza viruses in tropical regions have been considered of crucial importance, since several reports have suggested that in these regions the influenza activity is more temporally diffuse and may contain the foci for the emergence of new variants. [6, 7, 27] In addition to the need for a different influenza immunization schedule in Brazil, the composition of this vaccine should also be evaluated, since its antigenic composition for this region may be different from that recommended for the temperate region. [7] However, information on strains circulating in tropics is still scarce, since most of the countries in this region have low income and the health surveillance is not completely employed. Besides that, the logistical challenges to implementing a national immunization program with different calendars and distinct antigenic compositions in Brazil meet the need for investments that provide self)sufficiency in its production [7] . No additional data available.