Real-time PCR detected respiratory viruses in 96% of young children admitted to the PICU with lower respiratory tract infection, compared to 48% using conventional methods.
Observational (n=23)
No
Does real-time PCR improve the detection of respiratory viruses compared to conventional methods in young children admitted to the PICU with lower respiratory tract infection?
Real-time PCR significantly increases the diagnostic yield for respiratory viruses in critically ill children with lower respiratory tract infections compared to conventional methods.
Absolute Event Rate: 96% vs 48%
INTRODUCTION: The aetiology of lower respiratory tract infections in young children admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is often difficult to establish. However, most infections are believed to be caused by respiratory viruses. A diagnostic study was performed to compare conventional viral tests with the recently developed real-time PCR technique. METHOD: Samples from children aged under 5 years presenting to a tertiary PICU suspected of having a lower respiratory tract infection were tested using conventional methods (viral culture and immunofluorescence) and real-time PCR during the winter season from December 2004 to May 2005. Conventional methods were used to check for respiratory syncytial virus, influenzavirus, parainfluenzavirus 1-3, rhinoviruses and adenoviruses. Real-time PCR was used to test for respiratory syncytial virus, influenzavirus, parainfluenzavirus 1-4, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, human coronaviruses OC43, NL63 and 229E, human metapneumovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included, of whom 11 (48%) were positive for a respiratory virus by conventional methods. Real-time PCR confirmed all of these positive results. In addition, real-time PCR identified 22 more viruses in 11 patients, yielding a total of 22 (96%) patients with a positive sample. More than one virus was detected in eight (35%) children. CONCLUSION: Real-time PCR for respiratory viruses was found to be a sensitive and reliable method in PICU patients with lower respiratory tract infection, increasing the diagnostic yield twofold compared to conventional methods.
Pol et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (n=23). Real-time PCR vs. Conventional methods (viral culture and direct immunofluorescence) was evaluated on Detection of respiratory viruses (positive sample rate). Real-time PCR detected respiratory viruses in 96% of young children admitted to the PICU with lower respiratory tract infection, compared to 48% using conventional methods.