New respiratory syncytial virus study findings reported from Ruhr University
2007 NOV 13 -- "Rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial for clinical management of respiratory syncytial virus infection in childhood. We assessed the performance characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus antigen immunoassays in children hospitalized for respiratory infection A total of 1600 children up to three years of age hospitalized for diseases potentially caused by RSV were included in the study," researchers in Bochum, Germany report. "Nasopharyngeal secretions were obtained in a standardized manner in the first 24 hours after hospital admission and tested in parallel by PCR and rapid antigen tests for RSV. The following parameters were recorded: recruitment center, gender, age, presence of fever, rhinitis, stridor, barking cough, cough, wheezing, vomiting, disturbed eating or sleep, tachypnea, tachycardia, increased body temperature, decreased oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and chest X-ray results Considering PCR testing as gold standard, rapid antigen testing had a specificity of 89.9 % and a sensitivity of 66.2 % for all samples tested. Logistic regression analysis revealed age and recruitment center as the only parameters influencing sensitivity whereas no such influence on specificity was found. Positive likelihood ratios ranged from 4,9 to 6.9 in different age groups," wrote U. Schauer and colleagues, Ruhr University. The researchers concluded: "Negative likelihood ratio was 0.24 (95 % CI: 0.18-0.42) in children aged up to 3 months but 0.67 (95 % CI: 0.53-0.84) for children older than 2 years Rapid detection of RSV antigen in this study was useful in detection of RSV mediated disease in younger infants but shows decreasing sensitivity in children older than three months." Schauer and colleagues published their study in Klinische Padiatrie (Evaluation of respiratory syncytial virus detection by rapid antigen tests in childhood. Klinische Padiatrie, 2007;219(4):212-216). For additional information, contact U. Schauer, Ruhr University of Bochum, St. Josef Hospital, Klin Kinder & Jugendmed, Alexandrinenstr, 5, D-44791 Bochum, Germany. Publisher contact information for the journal Klinische Padiatrie is: Georg Thieme Verlag kg, Rudigerstr 14, D-70469 Stuttgart, Germany. Keywords: Germany, Bochum, Infectious Disease, Pulmonology, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Ruhr University. This article was prepared by Virus Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Virus Weekly via NewsRx.com.
|
