Detection of community-acquired respiratory viruses in allogeneic stem-cell transplant recipients and controls-A prospective cohort study.

Background: Community-acquired respiratory viruses (CARV) cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTI/LRTI) and may be life-threatening for recipients of an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT).

Methods: In a prospective study encompassing 4 winter-seasons, we collected throat gargles (TG) at random time points from allo-SCT recipients (patients) and controls and followed them up for at least 3 weeks including repetitive sampling and documentation of symptoms. A Multiplex-PCR system to identify 20 CARV and Mycoplasma pneumoniae was used to detect CARV.

Community acquired respiratory virus infections in cancer patients-Guideline on diagnosis and management by the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the German Society for haematology and Medical Oncology.

Background: Community acquired viruses (CRVs) may cause severe disease in cancer patients. Thus, efforts should be made to diagnose CRV rapidly and manage CRV infections accordingly.

Methods: A panel of 18 clinicians from the Infectious Diseases Working Party of the German Society for Haematology and Medical Oncology have convened to assess the available literature and provide recommendations on the management of CRV infections including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus and adenovirus.