Frequent detection of human coronaviruses in clinical specimens from patients with respiratory tract infection by use of a novel real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
During the past years, human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been increasingly identified as pathogens associated with more-severe respiratory tract infection (RTI). Diagnostic tests for HCoVs are not frequently used in the routine setting. It is likely that, as a result, the precise role that HCoVs play in RTIs is greatly underestimated. We describe a rapid, sensitive, and highly specific quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of HCoV that can easily be implemented in the routine diagnostic setting. HCoV was detected in 28 (11%) of the 261 clinical specimens obtained from patients presenting with symptoms of RTI ranging from common cold to severe pneumonia. Only 1 (0.4%) of the 243 control specimens obtained from patients without symptoms of RTI showed the presence of HCoV. We conclude that HCoVs can be frequently detected in patients presenting with RTI. Real-time RT-PCR provides a tool for large-scale epidemiological studies to further clarify the role that coronavirus infection plays in RTI in humans.
van Elden
Leontine J R
LJ
Department of Virology, Division of Acute Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. l.vanelden@azu.nl
van Loon
Anton M
AM
van Alphen
Floris
F
Hendriksen
Karin A W
KA
Hoepelman
Andy I M
AI
van Kraaij
Marian G J
MG
Oosterheert
Jan-Jelrik
JJ
Schipper
Pauline
P
Schuurman
Rob
R
Nijhuis
Monique
M
D001483:Base Sequence; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D028941:Coronavirus 229E, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D028962:Coronavirus OC43, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*
D017931:DNA Primers