title: Comparison of nasopharyngeal aspirate with flocked swab for PCR-detection of respiratory viruses in children.
abstract: Fast- and high-throughput molecular workflows require sample matrices to be suitable for automation. Respiratory swabs are better suited for this purpose compared to the more viscous nasopharyngeal aspirates. Samples collected by nasopharyngeal aspiration and nasopharyngeal flocked swab from 81 children were compared for detection and recovery of respiratory viruses. Using real-time RT-PCR, no statistically significant differences in virus detection between the two sample types were found, supporting the use of flocked swabs in children aged one month to two years.
authors.affiliation: Genetic unit, Department of Multidisciplinary Laboratory medicine and Biochemistry, Division of Diagnostics and Technology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.
authors.forename: Hege Smith
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Tunsjø
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.
authors.forename: Are Stuitz
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.
authors.forename: Christopher Steven
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Inchley
authors.affiliation: Genetic unit, Department of Multidisciplinary Laboratory medicine and Biochemistry, Division of Diagnostics and Technology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.
authors.forename: Irmelin Kittelsen
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Røberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Division of Diagnostics and Technology, Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway.|Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Truls Michael
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Leegaard
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling; D019562:Viral Load
keywords: Aspirate; PCR; flocked swab; respiratory viruses