Abstract
We evaluated a commercial multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in a cross-sectional study among 81 adult and pediatric outpatients-40 cases with upper respiratory infection symptoms and 41 asymptomatic controls-from February to April 2008. Two specimens (throat swab and nasal swab) from each participant were tested using the EraGen MultiCode-PLx Respiratory Virus Panel that detects 17 viral targets. Throat swabs were also tested for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) by PCR. Respiratory viruses were detected in 22/40 (55%) cases and in 3/41 (7%) controls (P < 0.001). GAS was detected in 10 (25%) cases; GAS and respiratory virus co-infection was found in 4 (10%). Agreement between nasal and throat swabs for viral detection was 69% in cases and 95% in controls. Of 22 cases with a detectable virus, 12 (54%) were picked up by only 1 (throat or nasal) specimen, and the detection rate was increased by combining results of nasal and throat swab testing.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 169-173 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease |
Volume | 75 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2013 |
Keywords
- Group A streptococcus
- Multiplex PCR
- Nasal swab
- Respiratory virus
- Throat swab
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology (medical)
- Infectious Diseases