[Utility of real time polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection among adult patients].
BACKGROUND
Viral respiratory infections (VRI) are a frequent cause of morbidity among adult population. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) produces 20%> of VRI, however diagnosis is limited for a low sensitivity of conventional (FDA and ELISA) tests.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR) technique in RSV diagnosis in adult hospitalized patients; to characterize RSV infection among these patients.


METHODS
All adults hospitalized in Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica during 8 weeks of winter season, with clinical picture of VRI, and with negative DFA for influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and adenovirus were included. Real time RT-PCR was performed from nasopharyngeal sample. Clinical information, general laboratory exams and chest X ray reports were collected.


RESULTS
Out of 114 patients with negative DFA, 17 (14.9%o) Debe decir: RSV cases were demonstrated using real time RT- PCR. Fever, pharyngeal congestion, cough and bronchial obstruction were present in 80%> of patients. Thirty percent of them had a baseline chronic disease and 47%> were immunocompromised. One out of 17 patients (6%) required mechanical ventilation. No mortality was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of RT-PCR allowed increasing detection of RSV infection over 100%> among adults with VRI without virological diagnosis with conventional techniques. It is necessary to consider RSV RT-PCR test among patients with clinical picture of VRI during RSV season, with negative virological screening tests.
Rabagliati
Ricardo
R
Programa de Enfermedades Infecciosas del adulto, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Serri
Michel
M
Montecinos
Luisa
L
Azocar
Teresa
T
Ferrés
Marcela
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity