Objective:

To describe the clinical, demographic, viral isolates and histopathology findings of individuals who died of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and were reported to the National Institute of Health during the years 2009-2013.

Methods:

Observational, descriptive, retrospective study based on the review of epidemiological records and virology and histopathology reports of respiratory samples from deceased individuals diagnosed with ARI, that were received at the Colombian National Institute Health’s Virology Group.

Results:

1604 deaths, 55% were men, 46.5% of subjects were between 20 and 59 years, 13,5% received oseltamivir. RT-PCR was positive in 18,3% of cases, the most common viruses were: influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 13,9%, A(H3N3) 1.9% and influenza B 0,5 %. The lethality of ARI was higher in individuals who received antiviral or antibiotic OR 2,80 (95% CI 2,29 - 3,43) and 3.19 (95% CI 2,63 - 3,86), respectively.

Conclusion:

Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus was the main agent identified in fatal cases of laboratory-confirmed ARI during the years 2009 to 2013, with the highest lethality in individuals between 20 and 59 years; 64.7% of fatal cases had pneumonitis. It must be clarified if the initiation of antivirals affects the prognosis in severe cases of ARI.

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