Real-Time Detection of Influenza A, Influenza B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus A and B in Respiratory Specimens by Use of Nanoparticle Probes

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in young children worldwide. Influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the predominant aetiological agents during seasonal epidemics, and thus rapid and sensitive molecular tests for screening for such agents and timely identification of epidemics are required. This study compared real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) with conventional RT-PCR for parallel identification of influenza A virus (IAV) or influenza B virus (IBV) and RSV. A total of 1091 respiratory samples was examined from children with suspected ARTIs between January 2007 and December 2008. Of these, 275 (25.21 %) were positive for either influenza or RSV by qPCR compared with 262 (24 .01%) positive by RT-PCR. Overall, IAV, IBV and RSV were detected in 121 (11.09 %), 59 (5.41 %) and 95 (8.71 %) samples, respectively. In spite of overlapping clinical symptoms, RSV and influenza virus showed distinct seasonal peaks. IAV correlated positively and RSV negatively with rainfall and temperature. No distinct seasonality was observed in IBV infections. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of a systemic surveillance of respiratory viruses with seasonal correlation and prevalence rates from eastern India. This 2 year comparative analysis also confirmed the feasibility of using qPCR in developing countries, which will not only improve the scope for prevention of epidemics, but will also provide crucial epidemiological data from tropical regions.

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A comparison of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections among infants admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400055765 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 383-392 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

E. O. Caul ◽

D. K. Waller ◽

S. K. R. Clarke ◽

B. D. Corner

Keyword(s):

Influenza Virus ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Virus Infections ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

One Year

SUMMARYAmong 741 children under 5 years admitted to hospital with respiratory infections during two winters, infection with influenza A virus was diagnosed in 70 (9%), with influenza B virus in 8 (1%), and with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 259 (35 %). Both influenza virus and RSV infections were diagnosed most frequently in children under the age of one year, and diagnosed more frequently in males than females. Influenza illnesses were more severe in boys than girls. Both infections occurred more often, but were not more severe, in children from a conurbation than in those from ‘rural’ areas. Convulsions were the cause of 36% of admissions with influenza A infections, but were rare in RSV infections. Bronchiolitis was the reason for 39% of admissions with RSV infections, but was rare in influenza infections. It is suggested that infants admitted to hospital are a good source of influenza virus strains for monitoring arttigenic variation.

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Performance of a Novel Point-of-Care Molecular Assay for Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Enigma MiniLab) in Children with Acute Respiratory Infection

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.02887-15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 212-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sam T. Douthwaite ◽

Charlotte Walker ◽

Elisabeth J. Adams ◽

Catherine Mak ◽

Andres Vecino Ortiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Influenza A ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Influenza B Virus ◽

Influenza B ◽

Molecular Assay ◽

B Virus ◽

Syncytial Virus ◽

Virus Influenza

The performance of the Enigma MiniLab assay for influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was compared to a centralized laboratory respiratory virus panel. The positive and negative percent agreement for influenza A virus, influenza B virus, and RSV were 79.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 57.8 to 92.9%) and 99.4% (95% CI, 98.4 to 99.9), 100% (95% CI, 47.8 to 100%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.3 to 100%), 98.5% (95% CI, 94.6 to 99.8%) and 94.5% (95% CI, 91.9 to 96.4%), respectively.

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Absence of nosocomial influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infection in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era: Implication of universal masking in hospitals

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.425 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shuk-Ching Wong ◽

Germaine Kit-Ming Lam ◽

Christine Ho-Yan AuYeung ◽

Veronica Wing-Man Chan ◽

Newton Lau-Dan Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Virus Infection ◽

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Influenza A ◽

Influenza B ◽

Syncytial Virus

Abstract Universal masking for healthcare workers and patients in hospitals was adopted to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with compliance rates of 100% and 75.9%, respectively. Zero rates of nosocomial influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus infection were achieved from February to April 2020, which was significantly lower than the corresponding months in 2017–2019.

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