Chinnari Mohan Rao, Saswat Subhankar, Debee Prasad Dash
BACKGROUND The study was carried out during July 2017 through October 2017 when there was a seasonal epidemic of influenza like illness (ILI) in Odisha. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected data of 36 cases confirmed out of 152 suspected cases by reverse - transcriptase - polymerase chain assay of sampling of nasopharyngeal swab or pharyngeal secretions at Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR), Bhubaneswar from clinical presentations of influenza illness. RESULTS Results of the 36 confirmed patients studied, 9 were influenza A positive H1N1neg and 27 influenza A & H1N1 (swine flu) positive. 22.2% of cases were below 19 yrs., whereas those above 60yrs in both groups were 33.3% and 25.9% respectively. In the H1N1 positive cases, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease each constituted 18.5% amongst the comorbidities. All cases underwent chest radiography on admission. Bronchovascular prominence and bilateral consolidation were most frequently observed (37.1 & 33.3% respectively). HRCT performed in cases having normal chest X-ray revealed tree in bud and nodular pattern. Out of the total confirmed cases, 4 died (11.1%). Qualitative risk factors like renal failure, sepsis and ARDS were associated with mortality (p value< 0.05). Quantitative risk factors like low mean arterial pressure and raised serum creatinine were associated with mortality (p<0.001). Use of antiviral drug Oseltamivir initiated at a mean of 5.83 days was beneficial among the survivors. CONCLUSION During the seasonal epidemics, influenza-A both H1N1 negative and positive cases caused illness requiring hospitalisation. Severe illness with renal failure, sepsis, hypotension, ARDS had mortality outcome. Patients seem to benefit from early antiviral therapy.
