Molecular Diagnosis of Children’s Viral Respiratory Infections

The findings from two studies demonstrate the superiority of nucleic acid probe–based methods in diagnosing viral infections.

Researchers have made great progress in identifying the viral causes of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children. Using molecular techniques, they have discovered viral agents not detected with conventional methods. Two new studies demonstrate the potential of molecular techniques for identifying viruses and clarifying their role in children’s ARTIs.

Bonzel and colleagues used a real-time PCR assay with probes from a broad panel of viruses, allowing simultaneous detection of more than one target in each sample. These investigators obtained respiratory tract samples from children hospitalized with ARTIs between December 2005 and 2006 at one of two pediatric hospitals in Germany. They tested for the usual ARTI-associated viruses,…

Reviewing Author

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Robert S. Baltimore, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsInfectious Diseases in Children

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesMember Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis and Kawasaki Disease

Molecular Diagnosis of Children’s Viral Respiratory Infections

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Reviewing Author