Following the sudden and unexpected emergence of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (2009 H1N1) virus, this observational study was initiated to estimate rates of morbidity and mortality and to examine predictors of severity among participants with 2009 H1N1 infection. In 2011, as surveillance indicated that 2009 H1N1 virus was co-circulating with other seasonal influenza A and B viruses worldwide, the protocol was expanded to include other influenza A subtypes and influenza B viruses. The current version of the protocol (released in August 2013) further broadens the scope of this observational study. With the recognition that novel respiratory viruses other than novel influenza A viruses, e.g., Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), could become prevalent and of major public health importance, the objectives of this protocol have been expanded.

The purpose of this observational study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes over a 60-day follow-up period of participants with influenza virus infection (including influenza A subtypes such as H3N2 and 2009 H1N1, or influenza B), or a targeted non-influenza respiratory virus, who are hospitalized with severe illness and/or complications in geographically diverse locations.

Specific objectives related to influenza virus infection are to estimate the percentage of participants who go on to develop severe disease or complications that require hospitalization; to obtain information on risk factors for disease severity; and to establish a central repository of specimens for use in virus characterization, including subtyping, antigenic and genetic analyses, identification of signature mutations associated with antiviral drug resistance, mutational evolution, and additional reassortment.

Specific objectives related to novel non-influenza respiratory viruses of potential major public health importance are to characterize initial cases and their outcomes in order to develop more specific protocols that could inform the prevention and treatment of these new infections.

The information used from this study on participants with influenza and novel respiratory virus infections will be rapidly analyzed and shared broadly in order to guide policymakers and to design future studies.

Approximately 500 patients with influenza will be enrolled each year at an estimated 75 sites which are in geographically diverse locations across several continents.

Study Plan:

• Participants who meet the eligibility criteria will be enrolled at participating clinical sites.
• Patients with a diagnosis of influenza (confirmed or suspected), who are hospitalized with complications or severe disease, will be enrolled.
• At enrollment, consent is signed and information (demographics, medical history (including prior influenza and pneumococcal vaccination), medications (including antivirals) and treatments prescribed) will be recorded. A blood sample for serum and plasma will be obtained at enrollment, as well as an upper respiratory tract sample and lower respiratory tract sample, if appropriate. The respiratory specimens will be sent for central reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for influenza.
• For participants who are still hospitalized, and not intubated, 5 to 7 days after enrollment an additional upper respiratory sample is obtained.
• Status will be re-assessed at approximately 28 days and 60 days after enrollment and another blood sample for serum and plasma will obtained at both time points.
• For participants who are mechanically ventilated additional upper and lower respiratory tract specimens will be obtained at specific timepoints.

In February 2012, the FLU 004 Genomics protocol v 1.0 was released to the field. In August 2013, v 2.0 of the protocol was released as INSIGHT Genomics. The protocol was expanded beyond the FLU 002 and FLU 003 studies to include all qualifying INSIGHT studies (list of qualifying studies is posted on the INSIGHT website, www.insight-trials.org). The purpose of this substudy is to obtain a whole blood sample from which DNA will be extracted to study polymorphisms in immune response genes and other genetic variants that may be associated with an increased risk of severe influenza.

Participating FLU 003 Plus sites are given the option to also participate in INSIGHT Genomics which requires a separate protocol registration. Participants, once consented to FLU 003 Plus, will be offered the option to also consent to INSIGHT Genomics which includes a single whole blood sample collection. Participation in FLU 003 Plus will not be compromised if a participant opts not to participate in INSIGHT Genomics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be ≥ 18 years of age

• Have been admitted to hospital

• Have a signed informed consent by participant or surrogate/representative

• Have a local diagnosis (confirmed or suspected) of influenza, or of a targeted non-influenza viral respiratory infection*, resulting in (or extending a previous) hospitalization

  • A list of targeted non-influenza respiratory viruses is maintained on the INSIGHT website.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current imprisonment, or compulsory detention (involuntary incarceration) for treat of a psychiatric or physical illness.

Adult patients who are hospitalized with a diagnosis (confirmed or suspected) of influenza or a targeted non-influenza viral respiratory infection, as soon as possible after the suspected diagnosis is made. Participants may have already been admitted to the hospital at the study site or may have been previously seen at another hospital where the diagnosis of influenza or infection with a targeted respiratory virus was made.