Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Deceased Persons, Spain, 2017

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jul;24(7):1331-1334. doi: 10.3201/eid2407.180162.

Abstract

During the 2016-17 influenza season in Spain, we tested specimens from 57 elderly deceased persons for respiratory viruses. Influenza viruses were detected in 18% of the specimens and any respiratory virus in 47%. Only 7% of participants had received a diagnosis of infection with the detected virus before death.

Keywords: Influenza; Spain; cause of death; coronavirus; mortality; respiratory infections; respiratory syncytial virus; respiratory virus; viruses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autopsy
  • Female
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Population Surveillance
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / history
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / mortality
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology*
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / history
  • Virus Diseases / mortality
  • Virus Diseases / virology*