Abstract

SALDARRIAGA, Tatiana et al. Clinical and molecular characteristics of influenza outbreak in two military bases in Tumbes, Peru 2007. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2008, vol.25, n.1, pp.35-43. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objective. To describe an Influenza outbreak in two military bases in Tumbes, department located in northern Peru. Material and methods. In patients within 5 days of symptoms the Ministry of Health case definition of Influenza-like illness was used. Nasal swabs were taken for Rapid Influenza Test (RIT) and throat swab for viral isolation, three cell lines (MDCK, VERO, LLCMK2) were used. For Influenza B genotypification we made a partial sequencing of hemaglutinine region of 898 pair bases, having 2007 vaccine strain B/Florida/4/2006 as a model. For Influenza A genotypification we analysed 958 pair bases, having 2007 vaccine strain A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2) as a model. Results. We took 124 samples, 20 from military base (MB) # 1 and 104 from MB # 2. RIT promptly identified 41 positive cases: Flu B: 27, Flu A: 02, Flu: 12, with 62% of sensibility and specificity 100%. Finally, 66 cases were confirmed by virus isolation, 54 Flu B and 12 Flu A. Genotypification showed that isolates were genetically similar to Influenza B/Texas/4/2006 (n=34) and A/Texas/91/2007 (H3N2) (n=7). Most common symptoms found were fever, headache, malaise, cough, sore throat, myalgias and rinorrheae. Control strategies consisted to identify probable cases and to isolate them in a special room and to wear facemasks. Conclusions. We confirmed 66 cases by cellular culture. Isolates were genetically similar to Influenza B/Texas/4/2006 and A/Texas/91/2007 (H3N2).

Keywords : Human Influenza; Outbreak; Militar personnel; Peru.

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