title: Real-time PCR to improve the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection.
abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important virus respiratory pathogens in infants and young children. A rapid and sensitive diagnosis is essential to focus any outbreak due to this virus. A real-time RT-PCR method was designed using a primer/probe pair from the F gene. Simultaneously with nested RT-PCR and antigen ELISA, 71 consecutive specimens from hospitalized children with clinical symptoms of acute respiratory distress were evaluated to confirm the incidence of RSV infection. RSV was detected in 25 (35.2 %) specimens by real-time RT-PCR and in 19 (26.7 %) by nested RT-PCR. The assay was specific for RSV. The procedure offers a rapid and sensitive alternative to conventional RT-PCR. Closed-tube detection eliminates the risk of contamination.
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology1 and Department of Paediatrics2, University Hospital, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mentel
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology1 and Department of Paediatrics2, University Hospital, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology1 and Department of Paediatrics2, University Hospital, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruns
authors.affiliation: Friedrich Loeffler Institute of Medical Microbiology1 and Department of Paediatrics2, University Hospital, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gürtler
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral