Abstract
During 1980 – 1984 rapid diagnosis of respiratory virus infections (adeno-, influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, respiratory syncytial viruses) was extensily tested. Nasopharyngeal mucus from febrile children was aspirated, stored at room temperature or at 4°C overnight and tested for the presence of viral antigen with radio-immunoassay. During the study period 821 children were found to have a respiratory virus antigen in nasopharynx. 190 children had adenovirus infection, 103 influenza virus infection, 127 parainfluenza virus infection and 401 children had RSV infection. When tested for specific IgG responses in paired sera 93% of the children with adenovirus antigen and 92% of the children with RSV antigen in nasopharynx developed a significant titer increase. Rapid virus diagnosis proved to have great clinical value. The influenza and RSV epidemics were rapidly recognized. The specific etiologic diagnosis of highly febrile children had marked influence when the necessity for antibiotic therapy was considered.
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Ruuskanen, O., Meurman, O., Putto, A. et al. RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF RESPIRATORY VIRUS INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 19, 1103 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00200
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00200