Virological and autopsy findings in suspected and confirmed fatal cases of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza in the Czech Republic - preliminary results
Abstract
Influenza viruses cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Pandemic influenza may have a serious impact on certain (mainly younger) age groups in comparison with seasonal flu.
The aim of this study was to analyze and compare virological and autopsy findings in patients who died with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus infection. Postmortem biological samples were collected from any patient who had died with suspected influenza infection to be tested for respiratory viruses.
The samples were screened for 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus by real-time PCR (RT PCR) and when RT PCR positive, by virus isolation assay. Other important respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses and adenoviruses were detected by virus isolation assay in a suitable cell culture.
Epidemiological analysis of postmortem histopathologic findings in the airway tissue was carried out in 57 of 61 fatal cases. Virological findings were subsequently correlated with histologic