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Utility of Zanamivir for Chemoprophylaxis of Concomitant Influenza A and B in a Complex Continuing Care Population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Z. Hirji ,
S. O'Grady ,
J. Bonham ,
M. Mak ,
J. Takata-Shewchuk ,
K. Hawkins ,
M. Gardam ,
L. Law ,
T. Mazzulli  and
J. Conly
Z. Hirji
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
S. O'Grady*
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
J. Bonham
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M. Mak
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
J. Takata-Shewchuk
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
K. Hawkins
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M. Gardam
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
L. Law
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
T. Mazzulli
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
J. Conly
Affiliation:
The Riverdale Hospital, Toronto Medical Laboratories, and theUniversity of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*
Infection Control, The Riverdale Hospital, 14 St. Matthews Road, Toronto, Ontario M4M 2B5, Canada
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Abstract

Objective:

To describe compliance with and the safety and prophylactic efficacy of zanamivir among patients at risk of developing influenza-related complications after exposure to both influenza A and B viruses.

Design:

Nonrandomized trial using both historical and contemporaneous controls from ward populations within the same facility.

Setting:

A 547-bed urban hospital providing complex continuing care and rehabilitation.

Patients:

Fifty patients on a single ward concomitantly exposed to both influenza A and B during an influenza outbreak.

Interventions:

All patients were screened for symptoms of influenza and nasopharyngeal swabs were sent for viral culture prior to treatment (two oral inhalations [2 × 5 mg] twice daily for 5 days) or prophylaxis (two oral inhalations [2 × 5 mg] once daily for 14 days) with zanamivir. Patient symptoms, compliance, and drug tolerance were monitored daily. Demographic data, comorbidities, vaccination status, and functional status (Katz score) were collected for all patients.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 70.6 years (standard deviation, ± 16.4 years). Ninety-four percent had two or more comorbidities, 71% were dependent in two or more activities of daily living, 63% had been vaccinated for influenza, and 82% had received amantadine. Zanamivir was well tolerated, with 93% of the patients completing their course. The efficacy for preventing symptomatic infection was 82% and 91% (95% confidence interval, 62% to 98%) based on historical and contemporaneous controls, respectively.

Conclusion:

These data suggest that zanamivir can be used safely and effectively as a prophylactic agent in the management of influenza outbreaks in a complex continuing care population with multiple comorbidities. (Infect Control Hosp Epidem 2002;23:604-608).

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 23 , Issue 10 , October 2002 , pp. 604 - 608
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2002

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