[Detection of Coxsackie B3 virus infection in newborn care unit using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the sensitivity of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for detection of Coxsackie virus B3 (CoxB3) infection.


METHODS
RT-PCR method was used to detect CoxB3 viral RNA in peripheral blood samples of 31 sick children and their mothers (62 cases) from a single hospital.


RESULTS
Among the 62 samples taken from 31 sick children and their mothers, the serological test showed only one positive case in anti-Coxsackie virus IgM. The CoxB3 serological positive rate was 1.61%. The results of RT-PCR method showed that among the 62 samples there were 12 positive cases and the positive rate was 19.35%; both mothers and children were positive in four pairs of the samples (8 cases), suggesting vertical viral transmission; two cases of neonatal were positive with their mothers negative; two cases of mothers were positive with their newborns negative.


CONCLUSIONS
RT-PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific method for detection of CoxB3 infection and its positive rate is superior to serological method.
E
Wen
W
Department of Pathology, Peking University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100191, China.
Liu
Shu-ping
SP
Zheng
Jie
J
D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D012367:RNA, Viral