Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
[Diagnostic yield of paediatric respiratory samples in the Balearic Islands Sentinel Influenza Surveillance Network]
1Centro Referencia de la Gripe, Unidad de Virología, Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, España. jorge.reina@ssib.es
Insights
Paediatric respiratory samples collected by paediatricians in the Balearic Islands Research and Surveillance Network (RC) showed higher influenza A and B positivity rates compared to adult samples. These findings highlight the effectiveness of paediatric surveillance in influenza monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Influenza surveillance networks (RC) are crucial for predicting epidemic behavior using clinical and virological data.
- The Balearic Islands Research and Surveillance Network (RC) monitors influenza activity.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of paediatric respiratory samples in the Balearic Islands RC over five epidemic seasons.
- To compare influenza detection rates between paediatric and adult respiratory samples.
Summary:
- A total of 338 pharyngeal swabs were analyzed, with 65 from paediatric patients (<14 years old).
- Paediatric samples showed a higher positivity rate (44.6%) compared to adult samples (39.1%).
- Influenza A was detected in 82.7% and Influenza B in 17.3% of positive paediatric samples, with a mean age of 8.5 years.
Impact:
- Despite paediatricians comprising 22% of RC doctors and providing 19.3% of samples, their contribution to influenza detection is highly effective.
- Paediatric surveillance plays a vital role in the accurate assessment of influenza epidemiology.
Introduction:
Influenza disease is subjected to surveillance by national networks (RC) that predict the epidemic behaviour by reporting clinical and virological data.
Objectives:
To evaluate the effectiveness of the paediatric respiratory samples in the Balearic Islands RC in the last five epidemic seasons.
Material And Patients:
A breath sample was taken from paediatric patients in the RC who had flu symptoms. The samples were inoculated in the MDCK cell line. We reviewed the epidemiological data of patients with a culture positive to influenza A and B.
Results:
A total of 338 pharyngeal swabs from the RC were analysed during the study period. Of these, 65 (19.3%) belonged to <14 years old patients, and 44.6% of the samples were positive as opposed to 39.1% of adult respiratory samples. The influenza A virus was isolated in 24 paediatric samples (82.7%) and the influenza B virus in 5 (17.3%). The mean age of the paediatric patients of the RC who were positive was 8.5 years. Only 3 patients in the 0-4 year old group were positive (10.3%) and 26 patients (89.7%) in the 5-14 years old group.
Conclusions:
In spite that paediatricians represented only 22% of the RC doctors and obtain the 19.3% of all respiratory samples, the percentage and effectiveness of these is higher that that obtained in the adult population.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
01:27Influenza
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...