2501. Impact of Influenza A and B Infection on Stem Cell Transplant Patients During the 2017–2018 Season at a Single Center

Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality on HSCT recipient. The 2017–2018 influenza has been characterized in the United States by prolonged high rates of both influenza A (IAV) and B (IBV) and low vaccine effectiveness. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of both IAV and IBV during 2017–2018 influenza season on a cohort of stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients at Weill Cornell- NYP.

We reviewed charts of HSCT recipients that were diagnosed with influenza by PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs. Demographics, clinical and microbiological data, and outcomes were collected. The study was approved by Weill Cornell Institutional review board.

From September 2017 to March 2018, 30 stem cell transplant recipient at NYP were diagnosed with influenza. IAV cases peaked in January (11 cases) while IBV infected-patients were equally distributed from December to March. Infected subject were more likely to be male (n = 20, 66.6%) with mean age of 57 ± 12 (IAV) vs. 59 + 11 (IBV). Nine patients had received auto SCT and 21 patient allo SCT. Most commons symptoms were cough (present in all patients), fever (28/30), nausea, dyspnea. Patient received oseltamivir (for 5 or 10 days) in 28/30 cases, with one patient developing resistance under treatment. Interestingly both IAV and IBV caused lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI, 7 cases) with severe pneumonia (IAV 1 cases, IBV 2 cases) and intubation. In two severe cases IV was detected in the BAL. 13 subjects (56%) with a URTI and 4 (43%) subjects with LRTI had not received the influenza vaccine for the season. Prolonged shedding of influenza on oseltamivir treatment was documented in 7 patients.

Both IAV and IBV are serious threat in SCT population. Vaccination and oseltamivir are useful tools. Resistance testing should be considered in subjects with prolonged disease.

S. G. Jenkins, Merck: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. M. J. Satlin, Hardy Diagnostics: Grant Investigator, Research support. Allergan: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Merck: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Biomerieux: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Achaogen: Consultant, Consulting fee. L. F. Westblade, Accelerate Diagnostics: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Biomerieux: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Allergan: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. Merck: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient.