Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): D. Panatto (1, 2), A. Orsi (1, 2, 3), B.M. Pennati (1), P.L. Lai (1, 4), S. Mosca (2), S. Boccotti (1), G. Guarona (3), C. Napoli (5), E. Bertamino (6), G.B. Orsi (7), I. Manini (8, 2), E. Montomoli (8, 2), M. Chironna (9), D. Loconsole (9), F. Centrone (9), E. Pariani (10, 2), S. Castaldi (10, 11), G. Icardi (1, 2, 3)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy, (2) Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Italy, (3) Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Italy, (4) Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT) - Genoa (Italy), Italy, (5) Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University La Sapienza, Italy, (6) Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Italy, (7) Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Italy, (8) Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy, (9) Hygiene Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Italy, (10) Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, Italy, (11) Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy
Background:
In order to curb the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, countries throughout the world have implemented unprecedented containment measures (obligatory use of masks, social distancing, partial or total lockdown). These strategies have also significantly reduced the circulation of all respiratory pathogens.
Within the European project Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE), a case-control study (test negative design) involving 5 Italian hospitals (Genoa, Milan, Rome, Bari and Siena) is being carried out during the 2020-21 influenza season (November 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021).
Objectives
To measure overall, age-specific (18-64 years, ≥65 years) and brand-specific Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). To estimate the impact of COVID-19 on IVE (SARS-CoV-2 positive vs SARS-CoV-2 negative).
Methods:Samples are tested for influenza [RT-PCR assay (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Yam, B/Vic)] and SARS-CoV-2 [one-step real-time multiplex retro-transcription (RT) PCR targeting the nucleoprotein (N), RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) and the envelope (E) regions].
Results:From November 1, 2020 to February 20, 2021, 901 samples were collected at different times during the study period. Only one influenza case was detected in Siena (January 15, 2021; female aged 91 years). In Rome, the rapid test detected one influenza B case in a 74-year-old SARS-CoV-2-positive male. This case was not confirmed by molecular methods. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 53.7% (484/901) of swabs. The highest incidence of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Milan (94.4%), followed by Genoa (80.5%), Rome-Sant ’Andrea (48.2%) and Bari (30.3%).
Conclusions:In this season, in Europe, influenza viruses have been detected sporadically. The influenza epidemic in Italy has usually reached its peak by this time of year but, despite regular testing for influenza, observed influenza activity still remains at a very low level; this is probably due to the impact of the public health and social measures implemented to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the significant increase in influenza vaccination coverage in adults and the elderly.
Keyword(s): influenza, influenza vaccines, hospitalized SARI-patientsCOI Other: This research was funded by DRIVE project. The DRIVE project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 777363. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA.
Session Type: ePosters
Session Title: ePosters
Authors(s): D. Panatto (1, 2), A. Orsi (1, 2, 3), B.M. Pennati (1), P.L. Lai (1, 4), S. Mosca (2), S. Boccotti (1), G. Guarona (3), C. Napoli (5), E. Bertamino (6), G.B. Orsi (7), I. Manini (8, 2), E. Montomoli (8, 2), M. Chironna (9), D. Loconsole (9), F. Centrone (9), E. Pariani (10, 2), S. Castaldi (10, 11), G. Icardi (1, 2, 3)
Authors Affiliations(s): (1) Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy, (2) Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT), Italy, (3) Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Italy, (4) Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT) - Genoa (Italy), Italy, (5) Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University La Sapienza, Italy, (6) Sant’Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Italy, (7) Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Italy, (8) Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy, (9) Hygiene Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Italy, (10) Department of Biomedical Science for Health, University of Milan, Italy, (11) Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy
Background:
In order to curb the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, countries throughout the world have implemented unprecedented containment measures (obligatory use of masks, social distancing, partial or total lockdown). These strategies have also significantly reduced the circulation of all respiratory pathogens.
Within the European project Development of Robust and Innovative Vaccine Effectiveness (DRIVE), a case-control study (test negative design) involving 5 Italian hospitals (Genoa, Milan, Rome, Bari and Siena) is being carried out during the 2020-21 influenza season (November 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021).
Objectives
To measure overall, age-specific (18-64 years, ≥65 years) and brand-specific Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). To estimate the impact of COVID-19 on IVE (SARS-CoV-2 positive vs SARS-CoV-2 negative).
Methods:Samples are tested for influenza [RT-PCR assay (A/H1N1, A/H3N2, B/Yam, B/Vic)] and SARS-CoV-2 [one-step real-time multiplex retro-transcription (RT) PCR targeting the nucleoprotein (N), RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) and the envelope (E) regions].
Results:From November 1, 2020 to February 20, 2021, 901 samples were collected at different times during the study period. Only one influenza case was detected in Siena (January 15, 2021; female aged 91 years). In Rome, the rapid test detected one influenza B case in a 74-year-old SARS-CoV-2-positive male. This case was not confirmed by molecular methods. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 53.7% (484/901) of swabs. The highest incidence of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Milan (94.4%), followed by Genoa (80.5%), Rome-Sant ’Andrea (48.2%) and Bari (30.3%).
Conclusions:In this season, in Europe, influenza viruses have been detected sporadically. The influenza epidemic in Italy has usually reached its peak by this time of year but, despite regular testing for influenza, observed influenza activity still remains at a very low level; this is probably due to the impact of the public health and social measures implemented to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the significant increase in influenza vaccination coverage in adults and the elderly.
Keyword(s): influenza, influenza vaccines, hospitalized SARI-patientsCOI Other: This research was funded by DRIVE project. The DRIVE project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 777363. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA.