Summer Outbreak of Severe RSV-B Disease, Minnesota, 2017 Associated with Emergence of a Genetically Distinct Viral Lineage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) typically causes winter outbreaks in temperate climates. During summer 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health received a report of increased cases of severe RSV-B infection.

Methods

We compared characteristics of summer 2017 cases with those of 2014-2018 summers. To understand the genetic relatedness among viruses, we performed high-throughput sequencing of RSV from patients with a spectrum of illness from sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Results

From May to September 2017, 58 RSV cases (43 RSV-B) were reported compared to 20-29 cases (3-7 RSV-B) during these months in other years. Median age and frequency of comorbidities were similar, but 55% (24/43) were admitted to the ICU in 2017 compared to 12% in preceding 3 years

SUBMITTER: Thielen BK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323494 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature