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ampliPHOX Colorimetric Detection on a DNA Microarray for Influenza
Published on: June 9, 2011
Molecular diagnosis of microbial copathogens with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in Oaxaca, Mexico
Luis Román Ramírez-Palacios1, Diana Reséndez-Pérez2, Maria Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla2
1Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública de Oaxaca, Oaxaca.
Background:
Multiple factors have been associated with the severity of infection by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. These include H1N1 cases with proven coinfections showing clinical association with bacterial contagions.
Purpose:
The objective was to identify H1N1 and copathogens in the Oaxaca (Mexico) population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2009 to 2012. A total of 88 study patients with confirmed H1N1 by quantitative RT-PCR were recruited.
Methods:
Total nucleic acid from clinical samples of study patients was analyzed using a TessArray RPM-Flu microarray assay to identify other respiratory pathogens.
Results:
High prevalence of copathogens (77.3%; 68 patients harbored one to three pathogens), predominantly from Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Neisseria, and Pseudomonas, were detected. Three patients (3.4%) had four or five respiratory copathogens, whereas others (19.3%) had no copathogens. Copathogenic occurrence with Staphylococcus aureus was 5.7%, Coxsackie virus 2.3%, Moraxella catarrhalis 1.1%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 1.1%, and parainfluenza virus 3 1.1%. The number of patients with copathogens was four times higher to those with H1N1 alone (80.68% and 19.32%, respectively). Four individuals (4.5%; two males, one female, and one infant) who died due to H1N1 were observed to have harbored such copathogens as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Haemophilus, and Neisseria.
Conclusion:
In summary, copathogens were found in a significant number (>50%) of cases of influenza in Oaxaca. Timely detection of coinfections producing increased acuity or severity of disease and treatment of affected patients is urgently needed.
Insights
Coinfections with bacteria and viruses are common in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases in Oaxaca, Mexico. Early detection and treatment of these copathogens are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Virology
- * Microbiology
Background:
- * Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 severity is influenced by multiple factors.
- * Bacterial coinfections are clinically associated with H1N1 cases, potentially increasing disease severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and co-occurring pathogens in Oaxaca, Mexico.
- * A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2009 and 2012, involving 88 confirmed H1N1 patients.
Main Methods:
- * Total nucleic acid was extracted from patient samples.
- * A TessArray RPM-Flu microarray assay was employed to detect respiratory pathogens.
Main Results:
- * A high prevalence of copathogens (77.3%) was detected, with most patients harboring one to three additional pathogens.
- * Predominant copathogens included *Streptococcus*, *Haemophilus*, *Neisseria*, and *Pseudomonas*.
- * Patients with copathogens were four times more likely to have H1N1 than those with H1N1 alone (80.68% vs. 19.32%).
- * Four fatal H1N1 cases (4.5%) had evidence of bacterial coinfections.
Conclusions:
- * Coinfections are prevalent in a significant proportion of influenza cases in Oaxaca.
- * Urgent need for timely detection and treatment of coinfections to manage increased disease acuity and severity.

