Pandemic influenza A and community respiratory viral infections in southern

24 Community respiratory viruses (CRVs) are commonly associated with seasonal 25 infections. It has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality among children, 26 elderly and immunosupressed patients. In April 2009, the circulation of a new influenza 27 A virus (FLUA H1N1v) was responsible for the first influenza pandemic of this 28 century. In this study we report the clinical and epidemiological profile of inpatients 29 infected with CRVs or with FLUA H1N1v at a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. In 30 addition, we evaluated this outline in survivor and nonsurvivor patients infected with 31 FLUA H1N1v. Multiplex RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR were used to detect the 32 presence of viruses from inpatients with respiratory infections. Records data from all 33 patients were reviewed. A total of 171 patients were examined over a period of 16 34 weeks. Of these, 39% were positive for FLUA H1N1v, 36% for CRVs, and 25% were 35 negative. Epidemiological data regarding median age (30 and 1.5 years), myalgia (44% 36 and 13%), need for mechanical ventilation (44% and 9%) and mortality (35% and 9%) 37 was statistically different for the FLUA H1N1v and CRV-infected patients. In a 38 multivariate analysis comparing survivor and nonsurvivor patients infected with 39 influenza A H1N1v, median age and CK levels were significantly associated with a 40 severe outcome. Seasonal respiratory infections are a continuing concern. Our results 41 highlight the importance of studies on prevalence and severity of these infections, as 42 well as investments in programs of clinical and laboratory monitoring are essential to 43 detect the appearance of new infective agents. 44