title: Respiratory Outbreak Investigations: How Many Specimens Should Be Tested?
abstract: To determine the optimal number of specimens for virus detection in a respiratory outbreak, laboratory results from 2 Canadian public health laboratories were reviewed. The evidence suggests that 3 specimens are sufficient for detection of a virus in >95% of outbreaks, thereby reducing laboratory costs.
authors.affiliation: 1Public Health Agency of Canada,Ottawa,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schleihauf
authors.affiliation: 2Provincial Laboratory for Public Health,Edmonton,Alberta,Canada.
authors.forename: Sumana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fathima
authors.affiliation: 3Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network,Halifax,Nova Scotia Canada.
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pettipas
authors.affiliation: 3Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network,Halifax,Nova Scotia Canada.
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.affiliation: 3Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network,Halifax,Nova Scotia Canada.
authors.forename: Todd F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Hatchette
authors.affiliation: 2Provincial Laboratory for Public Health,Edmonton,Alberta,Canada.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Drews
authors.affiliation: 3Provincial Public Health Laboratory Network,Halifax,Nova Scotia Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haldane
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011634:Public Health; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*