Annals of Saudi medicine
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
Case ReportsNovel influenza A (H1N1) virus-induced hemophagocytosis: first case reported in Saudi Arabia.
H1N1 is a novel subtype of the influenza A virus. Since its reemergence in 2008, it has been reported to cause a variety of illnesses ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe multiorgan failure. We report a case of a young immunocompetent man who presented with progressive shortness of breath and rapidly developed multiorgan dysfunction, including pancytopenia from H1N1 infection during the 2010-2011 influenza season. ⋯ Published reports contain only a few records of H1N1-induced hemophagocytosis. This is the first case report from Saudi Arabia with H1N1-induced secondary hemophagocytosis. It also highlights the fact that the virus is still very virulent and will pose a major annual health risk along with the seasonal influenza for at least the next few years.
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
2009 H1N1 influenza A in children: a descriptive clinical study.
The 2009 H1N1 was a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Especially those younger than 5 years of age and those who have high-risk medical conditions are at increased risk for influenza-related complications. In the present study, we describe the clinical presentation of the H1N1 cases attending Jeddah Clinic Hospital-Al Kandarah (JCH-K) in the time period from October 2009 to January 2010, and identified the high-risk age groups. ⋯ Even though the majority of cases of the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 were mild, a severe disease does occur in children. In view of delayed PCR results, clinical presentation and lymphopenia were used as diagnostic criteria to start antiviral treatment as early as possible. No deaths were attributed to the 2009 pandemic.