When to Consider the Use of Antibiotics in the Treatment of 2009 H1N1 Influenza-Associated Pneumonia

Wright PF, Kirkland KB, Modlin JF.
N Engl J Med. 2009 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print]

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Factors Associated With Death or Hospitalization Due to Pandemic 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) Infection in California

Louie, J. K., Acosta, M., Winter, K., Jean, C., Gavali, S., Schechter, R., et al. for the California Pandemic (H1N1) Working Group
JAMA. 2009 Nov 4;302(17):1896-1902.

Context: Pandemic influenza A(H1N1) emerged rapidly in California in April 2009. Preliminary comparisons with seasonal influenza suggest that pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) disproportionately affects younger ages and causes generally mild disease.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiologic features of pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) cases that led to hospitalization or death.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Statewide enhanced public health surveillance of California residents who were hospitalized or died with laboratory evidence of pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection reported to the California Department of Public Health between April 23 and August 11, 2009.

Main Outcome Measure: Characteristics of hospitalized and fatal cases.

Results: During the study period there were 1088 cases of hospitalization or death due to pandemic 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection reported in California. The median age was 27 years (range, <1-92 years) and 68% (741/1088) had risk factors for seasonal influenza complications. Sixty-six percent (547/833) of those with chest radiographs performed had infiltrates and 31% (340/1088) required intensive care. Rapid antigen tests were falsely negative in 34% (208/618) of cases evaluated. Secondary bacterial infection was identified in 4% (46/1088). Twenty-one percent (183/884) received no antiviral treatment. Overall fatality was 11% (118/1088) and was highest (18%-20%) in persons aged 50 years or older. The most common causes of death were viral pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Conclusions: In the first 16 weeks of the current pandemic, the median age of hospitalized infected cases was younger than is common with seasonal influenza. Infants had the highest hospitalization rates and persons aged 50 years or older had the highest mortality rates once hospitalized. Most cases had established risk factors for complications of seasonal influenza. [Full Text]

The Emergency Use Authorization of Peramivir for Treatment of 2009 H1N1 Influenza

Birnkrant D, Cox E.
From the Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD.
N Engl J Med. 2009 Nov 2. [Epub ahead of print]

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