Details:

Alternative Title:
J Infect Dis
Personal Author:
Midgley, Claire M. ; Haynes, Amber K. ; Baumgardner, Jason L. ; Chommanard, Christina ; Demas, Sara W. ; ... More +
Midgley, Claire M. ; Haynes, Amber K. ; Baumgardner, Jason L. ; Chommanard, Christina ; Demas, Sara W. ; Prill, Mila M. ; Abedi, Glen R. ; Curns, Aaron T. ; Watson, John T. ; Gerber, Susan I. Less -
Description:
Background

In the United States, the seasonality of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has traditionally been defined on the basis of weeks during which antigen-based tests detect RSV in >10% of specimens (hereafter, the “10% threshold”). Because molecular testing has become more widely used, we explored the extent of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–based RSV testing and its impact on determining the seasonality of RSV.

Methods

We assessed antigen- and PCR-based RSV reports submitted to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System during July 2005–June 2015. To characterize RSV seasons by using PCR-based reports, we assessed the traditional 10% threshold; subsequently, we developed 3 methods based on either PCR-based detections or the percentage of positive test results.

Results

The annual number of PCR-based reports increased 200-fold during 2005–2015, while the annual number of antigen-based reports declined. The weekly percentage of specimens positive for RSV by PCR was less than that for antigen-detection tests; accordingly, the 10% threshold excluded detections by PCR and so was imprecise for characterizing RSV seasons. Among our PCR-specific approaches, the most sensitive and consistent method captured 96%–98% of annual detections within a season, compared with 82%–94% captured using the traditional method.

Conclusions

PCR-based reports are increasingly relevant for RSV surveillance and determining the seasonality of RSV. These PCR-specific methods provide a more comprehensive understanding of RSV trends, particularly in settings where testing and reporting are most active. Diagnostic practices will vary by locality and should be understood before choosing which method to apply.


Subject:
[+]
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 And Over
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Middle Aged
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Population Surveillance
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
Seasons
Young Adult

Source:
J Infect Dis. 216(3):345-355.
Pubmed ID:
28859428
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC5712458
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Place as Subject:
United States
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:0b08ee21f8b42a7e311849faf69a787701cf9191460fa48da5eae67e906c8372
File Type:

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