+44 330 818 7254Preeti Bharaj, Wayne M Sullender, Harendra S Chahar, Sushil K Kabra, Vikas Tyagi et al
A total of 225 NPAs (103 for RSV and 122 for hMPV) were analyzed by real time RT-PCR, conventional PCR and virus culture. Real time RT-PCR detected RSV in 75 and hMPV in 29 samples as compared to 35 and 16 detected by conventional RT-PCR. By culture, only 27 and 16 NPAs revealed RSV and hMPV respectively. Hence real time RT-PCR detected 53% and 64% additional RSV infection as compared to conventional RT-PCR and culture and 45% additional hMPV infection when compared to both. Positive correlation between viral loads and disease severity for RSV but not for hMPV was observed. Low birth weight with both RSV and hMPV whereas bronchiolitis with RSV and prematurity with hMPV infection showed significant association. Eight cases of co-infection were detected by real time RT-PCR; conventional RT-PCR detected one and culture none. Real time RT-PCR should be the method of choice for rapid and sensitive detection of RSV and hMPV alongwith culture.
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