Epidemiology of respiratory viruses in bronchoalveolar lavage samples in a tertiary hospital.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of respiratory viruses in adults is largely underexplored, as most studies focus on children. Additionally, in severely ill or immunocompromised adults, where respiratory infections are mostly attributed to bacteria and fungi; respiratory viruses can lead to severe complications.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) specimens from patients with lower respiratory tract disease. The study population consisted of different groups including immunocompetent patients (control patients), solid organ transplant recipients, patients with haematological malignancies and other immunocompromised adults.


METHODS
A total of 134 BAL fluid specimens collected during 2009-2011 were retrospectively assessed with the new commercial multiplex real-time PCR FTD Respiratory 21 Plus(®), targeting 18 different viruses and 2 atypical bacterial pathogens.


RESULTS
Viral or atypical bacterial pathogens were detected in 29.1% of BAL fluid specimens. Coronaviruses were most prevalent (13.4%), followed by rhinoviruses (5.2%), RSV (4.5%) and bocaviruses (3.7%). Comparing the total number of viruses detected, a statistically significant difference was observed between the control group and patients with haematological malignancies (27.5% vs. 57.1%, p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, our study highlights the high prevalence of respiratory viruses in BAL fluid specimens from adult patients with lower respiratory tract disease. The methods to be used should be sensitive and cover a wide range of potential pathogens. The specific patient population can also influence the detection rates of respiratory viruses.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Stefanie
S
Drieghe
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Inge
I
Ryckaert
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, KU Leuven and Clinical Department Laboratory Medicine University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Kurt
K
Beuselinck
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, KU Leuven and Clinical Department Laboratory Medicine University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Katrien
K
Lagrou
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; School of Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. Electronic address: elizaveta.padalko@uzgent.be.
Elizaveta
E
Padalko
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
Bronchoalveolar lavage; Epidemiology; Laboratory diagnosis; Multiplex PCR; Respiratory infection