Extensive multiplex PCR diagnostics reveal new insights into the epidemiology of viral respiratory infections.

ABSTRACT: Viral respiratory infections continue to pose a major global healthcare burden. At the community level, the co-circulation of respiratory viruses is common and yet studies generally focus on single aetiologies. We conducted the first comprehensive epidemiological analysis to encompass all major respiratory viruses in a single population. Using extensive multiplex PCR diagnostic data generated by the largest NHS board in Scotland, we analysed 44230 patient episodes of respiratory illness that were simultaneously tested for 11 virus groups between 2005 and 2013, spanning the 2009 influenza A pandemic. We measured viral infection prevalence, described co-infections, and identified factors independently associated with viral infection using multivariable logistic regression. Our study provides

SUBMITTER: Nickbakhsh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7113017 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature