Use of the Seeplex RV Detection kit for surveillance of respiratory viral outbreaks in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seeplex RV Detection kit was used to identify specific respiratory viruses from specimens collected during respiratory outbreaks in the Greater Toronto Area from 1 September 2007 to 1 February 2008. Two hundred-thirty-one patient samples (nasopharyngeal swabs) were collected from 63 respiratory outbreaks. The distribution of outbreaks characterized by molecular means was: 30% (n=19) no identification; 52.5% (n=33) one pathogen; 14.5% (n=9) two pathogens; and 3% (n=2) three pathogens. In contrast, culture-based protocols identified pathogens in fewer outbreaks: 63 % (n=40) no identification; 35% (n=22) 1 pathogen; and 2% (n=1) 2 pathogens (p<0.05). Compared to virus isolation, molecular testing identified a greater proportion of positive specimens for rhinovirus: 22% (n=51/231) vs 5% (n=12/231) (p=0.01); and RSV A/B: 12% (n=27/231) vs 5% (n=11/231) (p<0.05). Superiority of the molecular assay to detect rhinovirus and RSV outbreaks compared to culture is evident from this study.
Drews
Steven J
SJ
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Laboratories Branch, 81 Resources Rd., Etobicoke, Ontario M9P 3T1, Canada. steven.drews@ontario.ca
Blair
Joanne
J
Lombos
Ernesto
E
DeLima
Cedric
C
Burton
Laura
L
Mazzulli
Tony
T
Low
Donald E
DE
D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000821:virology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic