title: Feasibility of parental collected nasal swabs for virus detection in young children with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The detrimental role of viruses has been well described in CF, although the pattern of virus infections has not been investigated in a longitudinal study. The primary aim was to determine the feasibility of fortnightly parent collected swabs in young children with CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children under three years with CF were recruited. Nasal swabs were collected by parents every fortnight and during periods of symptoms over 12 months. Nasal swabs were posted and virus detected using real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 27% of the patients completed the study to 10 months, although 98% of the swabs returned were adequate for analysis. Mould was observed growing on 23% of the returned swabs. There was no evidence to demonstrate relationships with symptoms and viruses, prolonged symptoms, prolonged shedding or patterns of virus infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the need to further investigate the role of viruses in children with CF using a robust method of frequent collection in children for a longitudinal study, with appropriate storage and shipping techniques to avoid mould growth or other potential contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia. Electronic address: c.gangell@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gangell
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shackleton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poreddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kappers
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia; Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gaydon
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia; Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Sloots
authors.affiliation: Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008, Australia.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Stick
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.affiliation: Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sly
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000821:virology*; D010290:Parents; D010865:Pilot Projects; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Paediatric; Virus