Timing of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza epidemic activity in five regions of Argentina, 2007-2016.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Within-country differences in the timing of RSV and influenza epidemics have not been assessed in Argentina, the eighth largest country in the world by area.

Objective

We aimed to compare seasonality for RSV and influenza both nationally and in each of the five regions to inform Argentina's prevention and treatment guidelines.

Method

The Argentine National Laboratories and Health Institutes Administration collected respiratory specimens from clinical practices, outbreak investigations, and respiratory virus surveillance in 2007-2016; these were tested using immunofluorescence or RT-PCR techniques. We calculated weekly percent positive (PP) and defined season onset as >2 consecutive weeks when PP exceeded the annual mean for the respective year and region. M

SUBMITTER: Baumeister E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6304310 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature