title: Viral detection using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based assay in outpatients with upper respiratory infection.
abstract: We evaluated a commercial multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in a cross-sectional study among 81 adult and pediatric outpatients-40 cases with upper respiratory infection symptoms and 41 asymptomatic controls-from February to April 2008. Two specimens (throat swab and nasal swab) from each participant were tested using the EraGen MultiCode-PLx Respiratory Virus Panel that detects 17 viral targets. Throat swabs were also tested for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) by PCR. Respiratory viruses were detected in 22/40 (55%) cases and in 3/41 (7%) controls (P < 0.001). GAS was detected in 10 (25%) cases; GAS and respiratory virus co-infection was found in 4 (10%). Agreement between nasal and throat swabs for viral detection was 69% in cases and 95% in controls. Of 22 cases with a detectable virus, 12 (54%) were picked up by only 1 (throat or nasal) specimen, and the detection rate was increased by combining results of nasal and throat swab testing.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. sleekha@epi.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Surbhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leekha
authors.forename: Cole L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Irish
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Fernholz
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Espy
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Young J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Juhn
authors.forename: Bobbi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pritt
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sampathkumar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D010045:Outpatients; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification