Population-Based Pediatric Hospitalization Burden of Lineage-Specific Influenza B in Hong Kong, 2004-2014.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Influenza B virus has been perceived to cause less disease burden and milder disease compared with influenza A, but recent studies suggest that influenza B does have a significant impact. We aimed to estimate the burden of influenza B virus infections on hospitalizations in Hong Kong, in the context of virus lineage changes over time.

Methods

The pediatric age-specific rates of influenza B hospitalization in Hong Kong for 2004-2014 were estimated based on admissions to 2 hospitals that together catered for 72.5% of all pediatric admissions on Hong Kong Island. Influenza B virus was detected by immunofluorescence and culture on nasopharyngeal aspirates. Lineage typing was performed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

A total

SUBMITTER: Cowling BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5848250 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature