[Epidemiology and diagnosis of respiratory syncitial virus in adults].

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is rarely searched for in respiratory infections in adults. This study assessed its frequency and diagnosis.

Methods: Three separate studies were conducted in adults presenting with (1) a flu-like illness, (2) a lower respiratory tract infection in the community, and (3) a severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.

[Regional evaluation of long-term care facilities for the elderly].

The increase in the total number of very elderly people demands the precision and specification of the needs of long-term care structures in the coming years. A survey conducted in Lower-Normandy is presented and described. Questionnaires were sent to directors of residence homes and nursing homes in order to investigate their operations and their problems.

Comparison of three non-nested RT-PCR for the detection of influenza A viruses.

Background: The viral isolation technique (VIT) is largely used as a gold standard for the detection of influenza A and B viruses in respiratory samples. Some recent studies have pointed out that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays allow sensitive and rapid detection of influenza viruses, also providing excellent correlation with traditional methods.

Objectives And Design Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of three non-nested PCR, two PCR-hybridization assays using primers defined in M and NS genes, and one PCR which uses primers defined in NP, NS and HA genes and combines the detection of H3N2 and H1N1 hemagglutinin genes using defined primers in NP, NS and HA genes (PCR3), in comparison with an IF assay (IFA) and viral isolation technique (VIT).