Surveillance of respiratory viral infections by rapid immunofluorescence diagnosis, with emphasis on virus interference

Abstract

SUMMARYDuring the 7-year period from September 1978 to August 1985, smear specimens of nasopharyngeal secretions from 3132 patients mainly hospitalized children, taken in different regions in Norway, were examined for respiratory viruses by the rapid immunofluorescence (IF) technique. A positive diagnosis for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus type 1, 2 and 3 or influenza A and B virus was made for 896 patients (29%). The greatest prevalence for all these viruses was observed during the colder months with only sporadic cases during the summer months. A relative increase in parainfluenza virus activity, involving several parainfluenza virus types, was observed in every second autumn and during these periods only sporadic cases of RSV infection were diagnosed. Also both RSV and parainfluenza viruses were less frequently found during influenza virus epidemics and regional differences in RSV activity were observed. During the four autumn periods 1982-85 the monthly number of positive virus identifications by IF followed an epidemic curve, while the corresponding number of negative samples was relatively constant. The results of this study suggest interference between RSV, parainfluenza viruses and influenza virus in reaching their epidemiological peaks. It is suggested that interferon might be a mediator of this effect.

Prospective population-based study of viral lower respiratory tract infections in children under 3 years of age (the PRI.DE study)

“…The seasonal distribution of PIV1 and PIV2 cases in the 2 study years exhibited the curious biannual autumn periodicity in odd-numbered years [33] previously noted in the United States and Norway, although not in Finland [1,8,11,30]. In addition, the all-year-round occurrence of PIV3 cases with a slight predominance in the spring is also consistent with previous reports [30].…”

Cyclical patterns and predictability in infection

“…Localized surveys of children with acute respiratory infections have confirmed the patterns described here for the parainfluenza and RS viruses (Buchan, Marten & Kennedy, 1974;Martin, Gardner & McQuillin, 1978;Hope-Simpson, 1981). In Norway (Anestad, 1982(Anestad, , 1987) the variations in incidence of the parainfluenza and RS viruses are similar to ours, but the 'interference' noted between these viruses and influenza A virus has not been seen in our data. The changes in age described in this review suggest that periodicity is an important factor in determining the age distribution of certain infections; or perhaps the periodicity is partly dependent on the age distribution of susceptibles?…”

Does Virus Interference Account for the Multiple Epidemic Waves that are Characteristic of the 1918 Spanish Influenza and other Influenza Pandemics?

“…This finding was supported by Norwegian observations which showed that RSV and influenza virus outbreaks usually did not reach their epidemiological peaks during the same period [13]. Later studies have supported these findings [14,15]. It should, however, be mentioned that these observations are not unambiguous [16].…”

“…in vivo [14]. In addition to interferon, it is possible that other broadly reactive responses of the innate immune system may also contribute.…”