Some clinical and epidemiological features of influenza-associated pneumonia depending on the etiological agent

Abstract

The aim: To analyze the epidemiological data and clinical course of pneumonia as a complication of influenza in the Poltava region, depending on the etiological agent. Materials and methods: We have analysed the data of the official reporting documentation provided by the State Institution “Poltava Regional Laboratory Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine” and the chart of patients with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of influenza who were in inpatient treatment at the Poltava Regional Clinical Infectious Hospital (PRCIH) in 2016-2018 years. In more detail, we examined 95 patients with pneumonia, which complicated the course of the flu. There were 43 (45.26%) female patients, − 52 (54.74%) male patients, aged 18 to 80 years. Results: Studies have shown that despite a decrease in the incidence of influenza in recent years, the incidence of pneumonia, which complicated the course of the flu, remained consistently high (19.7% – 20.8%) with bacteriological isolation of S.pneumoniae (22.11%), S.aureus (13.68%), Haemophilus influenza (4.21%) and E.coli (3.16%). Severe course of pneumonia with bloody sputum, evident shortness of breath, bilateral lung damage, and need for oxygen support were significantly more frequently reported in patients with isolated S.pneumoniae and S.aureus. However, the severe course of the disease with the formation of abscesses in the lungs was observed only in the group S.aureus despite the relatively young age of such patients and significantly fewer risk factors for severe influenza and comorbidities. Conclusions: The study showed a consistently high incidence of pneumonia, which complicated the flu and caused by S.pneumoniae, S.aureus, Haemophilus influenza and E.coli. Pneumonia caused by S.pneumoniae and S.aureus, were characterizedthe most severe course; however, a severe course with the formation of abscesses in the lung tissue was observed only in the group of S.aureus.