title: Multiplex nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for respiratory viruses in acute otitis media.
abstract: Because respiratory viruses play an important role in the causation and pathogenesis of acute otitis media (AOM), determining which virus has infected a child is important with respect to vaccines and antiviral drugs. In some instances, this information might be used to prevent the occurrence of AOM. We used a rapid, economical, and sensitive diagnostic system involving a multiplex nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to detect various respiratory viruses in clinical specimens of middle ear fluid (MEF) from children with AOM in our hospital. Multiplex RT-PCR was completed on 40 MEF samples from 28 infants and children less than 6 years old with AOM. Viral RNA was detected in 17 MEF samples (43%). Respiratory syncytial virus type A was present in 12 samples, adenovirus in 3, rhinovirus in 2, and influenza A (H3N2) in 1. The multiplex RT-PCR assay is recommended to clinical laboratories that are considering adoption of a molecular technique for viral diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Social Insurance Central General Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Monobe
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Masanobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shinogami
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral