Use of a universal virus detection assay to identify human metapneumovirus in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient with pneumonia of unknown origin.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Development of uncommon viral infections in immunocompromised transplant recipients can pose major diagnostic challenges. We present a case report of an immunocompromised patient suffering from pneumonia, for which the causative agent was not identified by routine methods.

Objectives

To identify the potential cause of the pneumonia using a degenerate oligonucleotide primer (DOP)-PCR assay that is designed to detect all viruses.

Study design

DOP-PCR was applied to bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from this patient. Generic PCR products were cloned and sequenced.

Results

The novel universal virus assay detected human metapneumovirus in the clinical sample. The finding was confirmed by two independent metapneumovirus specific PCRs targeting different region

SUBMITTER: Uhlenhaut C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2663017 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature