title: Quantitative RT real time PCR and indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of human parainfluenza virus 1, 2, 3.
abstract: Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are distributed worldwide and are involved mainly in the pathogenesis of respiratory tract infections. The development and optimization of three quantitative reverse transcription real time polymerase chain reactions (RT Real Time Qt-PCRs) and an indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) for the detection and quantitation of HPIV-1, -2 and -3 in clinical samples are described. Efficiency, sensitivity, specificity, inter- and intra-assay variability and turnaround time of the two methods were compared. These assays have been validated on 131 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Based on the results obtained, the molecular methods represent a valid and rapid tool for clinical management and should be included in diagnostic panels aimed to evaluate suspected respiratory tract infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Microbiology, Turin University, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Terlizzi
authors.forename: Bergallo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Massimiliano
authors.forename: Sidoti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Francesca
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sinesi
authors.forename: Vendrame
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rosangela
authors.forename: Gambarino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stefano
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Cavallo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossana
mesh_terms: D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000821:virology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010222:Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010223:Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010224:Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors