Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of Respiratory Viral Infections at a Single Tertiary Centre in Alberta, Canada

BACKGROUND: Respiratory viral infections (RVI) are commonly seen in hospitalized patients. While many studies have examined outcomes with influenza, fewer studies have examined outcomes of community and hospital acquired infections of other respiratory viruses. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from adult (age>17 years) inpatients with a positive result from respiratory viral multiplex panel testing during consecutive viral respiratory seasons from November 2014 to April 2017 at our facility. Ambulatory patients were excluded. Clinical outcomes including ICU admission requiring intubation, overall mortality and respiratory virus infection-related mortality was assessed at 30 days post infection. RESULTS: A total of 731 inpatients with positive results were identified. Influenza A was the most commonly detected virus (44%) followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)(14%) and rhinovirus/enterovirus (13%). Rates of RSV and human metapneumovirus infections displayed significant yearly variability. There were no significant differences in rates of ICU admission requiring intubation (16.8% vs. 14.3% P = 0.35) between infections caused by influenza A and B and other respiratory viruses. In addition, mortality related to respiratory infections between these groups was also similar (5.7% Influenza vs. 4.5% non-Influenza P = 0.46). Ninety-five (15%) of identified patients had hospital acquired respiratory viral infections. Influenza A was the most commonly isolated hospital acquired infection (39%). Rates of ICU admission requiring intubation (22.6% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.06) and respiratory infection-related mortality (7.4% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.14) were higher in hospital acquired RVI but did not meet statistical significance. Less than half (45%) of all patients testing positive for influenza received antiviral treatment (oseltamivir). Respiratory infection-related mortality was not significantly different between those who were treated and those who were not treated (5.5% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.64). CONCLUSION: While influenza remains the most common community and hospital acquired respiratory viral infection in inpatients at our facility, half of infections were attributed to other respiratory viruses and these resulted in similar rates of serious outcomes including ICU admission and mortality. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.