Detection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in a patient travelling from Shanghai to Italy in July 2018: an uncommon clinical presentation in a non-seasonal period
Vol. 60 No. 1 (2019), Infectious Diseases
Vol. 60 No. 1 (2019)

Detection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in a patient travelling from Shanghai to Italy in July 2018: an uncommon clinical presentation in a non-seasonal period

Infectious Diseases
https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1214
Published 2019-04-02
Francesca Butera
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
Sara Schenone
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1345-1455
Federico Grammatico
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
Valentino Tisa
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
Gaia Barisione
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
Giulia Guarona
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GENOA
Bianca Bruzzone
Hygiene Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
Giuseppe Murdaca
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
Maurizio Setti
Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
Andrea Orsi
Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa Hygiene Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino

Abstract

Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases in travellers, especially in those returning from subtropical and tropical regions.

In late June 2018 an influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection was diagnosed in a 36-years-old man, returned from a travel in Shanghai and hospitalized at the Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy, with a diagnosis of fever and an uncommon clinical presentation characterised by a persistent leukopenia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a closeness with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 strains circulating in the US in May-June 2018.

Prompt recognition of influenza infection led to a proper case management, demonstrating the crucial role of the continuous influenza surveillance programme.

https://doi.org/10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.1.1214
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