title: Improved detection of respiratory viruses in pediatric outpatients with acute respiratory illness by real-time PCR using nasopharyngeal flocked swabs.
abstract: Detection of respiratory viruses by real-time multiplexed PCR (M-PCR) and of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by M-PCR and immunofluorescence (IF) was evaluated using specimens collected by nasopharyngeal flocked swabbing (NFS) and nasal washes (NW). In children with mild respiratory illness, NFS collection was superior to NW collection for detection of viruses by M-PCR (sensitivity, 89.6% versus 79.2%; P = 0.0043). NFS collection was noninferior to NW collection in the detection of RSV by IF.
authors.affiliation: KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya. pmunywoki@kilifi.kemri-wellcome.org
authors.forename: Patrick Kiio
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Munywoki
authors.forename: Fauzat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hamid
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mutunga
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cane
authors.forename: D James
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nokes
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000821:virology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D010045:Outpatients; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000821:virology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*