Prevalence of parainfluenza and influenza viruses amongst children with upper respiratory tract infection.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Parainfluenza and Influenza causing upper respiratory tract infections and to evaluate shell vial culture assay and direct immunofluorescence assay.


METHODS
A retrospective study during the period between November 1997 and May 1998. A total of 350 nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from children suffering from respiratory tract infections. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were investigated for the presence of Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, Influenza A and B using shell vial culture assay, conventional culture assay and direct immunofluorescence assay.


RESULTS
Parainfluenza 1 were identified in 3%, Parainfluenza 2 in 5% and Parainfluenza 3 in 6%. Influenza A were identified in 4% and Influenza B in 2%. Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3 were isolated in children less than 5 years old. Most of Parainfluenza cases were associated with other upper respiratory infections. Shell vial assay showed a sensitivity of 90-93% and specificity of 99-100% for detecting Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3.


CONCLUSIONS
These results emphasize that shell vial assay is important for the diagnosis of Parainfluenza and Influenza, although direct immunofluorescence assay is the superior diagnostic assay.
Nasrallah
G K
GK
Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, Princess Rahma Hospital, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Meqdam
M M
MM
Al-Shurman
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate