Pulmonary pathologic findings of fatal 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 viral infections. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • CONTEXT: In March 2009, a novel swine-origin influenza A/H1N1 virus was identified. After global spread, the World Health Organization in June declared the first influenza pandemic in 41 years. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic characteristics of 34 people who died following confirmed A/H1N1 infection with emphasis on the pulmonary pathology findings. DESIGN: We reviewed medical records, autopsy reports, microbiologic studies, and microscopic slides of 34 people who died between May 15 and July 9, 2009, and were investigated either by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (32 deaths) or through the consultation service of a coauthor (2 deaths). RESULTS: Most of the 34 decedents (62%) were between 25 and 49 years old (median, 41.5 years). Tracheitis, bronchiolitis, and diffuse alveolar damage were noted in most cases. Influenza viral antigen was observed most commonly in the epithelium of the tracheobronchial tree but also in alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages. Most cases were reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction positive for influenza. Histologic and microbiologic autopsy evidence of bacterial pneumonia was detected in 55% of cases. Underlying medical conditions including cardiorespiratory diseases and immunosuppression were present in 91% of cases. Obesity (body mass index, >30) was noted in 72% of adult and adolescent cases. CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary pathologic findings in fatal disease caused by the novel pandemic influenza virus are similar to findings identified in past pandemics. Superimposed bacterial infections of the respiratory tract were common. Preexisting obesity, cardiorespiratory diseases, and other comorbidities also were prominent findings among the decedents.

publication date

  • February 1, 2010

Research

keywords

  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
  • Influenza, Human
  • Lung

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2819217

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 76149106017

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1043/1543-2165-134.2.235

PubMed ID

  • 20121613

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 134

issue

  • 2