Unrecognised Outbreak: Human parainfluenza virus infections in a pediatric oncology unit.  A new diagnostic PCR and virus monitoring system may allow early detection of future outbreaks.

ABSTRACT: Background: Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are significant causes of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections with type 3 (HPIV3) causing the most severe disease in the immunocompromised cohorts.  The objective of this study was to analyse the epidemiological nature of a cluster of cases of HPIV3 in a pediatric oncology unit of a major teaching hospital. Methods: In order to determine whether the activity observed represented a deviation from the norm, seasonal trends of HPIV3 in the surrounding geographical area as well as on the ward in question were analysed.  The genetic link between cases was established by the phylogenetic analysis of the non-coding hypervariable region between the M (Matrix) and F (fusion) genes of HPIV3. The 15 cases involved and 15 unrelated cases we

SUBMITTER: Smielewska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6338131 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature