Characterization of the Cytopathic Effects of Monkeypox Virus Isolated from Clinical Specimens and Differentiation from Common Viral Exanthems.

While the practice of viral culture has largely been replaced by nucleic acid amplification tests, circumstances still exist in which the availability of viral culture will allow for the diagnosis of infections not included in a provider's differential diagnosis. Here, we examine the cytopathic effects (CPE) and clinical data associated with 18 cases of monkeypox virus (MPXV) isolated from 19 clinical samples submitted for viral culture. During the study period, a total of 3,468 viral cultures were performed with herpes simplex virus (HSV) most commonly isolated (646/3,468; 18.

Contact Transmission of Vaccinia to an Infant Diagnosed by Viral Culture and Metagenomic Sequencing.

Targeted molecular diagnostic tests and accurate immunoassays have transformed the landscape of clinical virology, calling into question the usefulness of traditional viral culture. Here we present a case where viral culture, followed by metagenomic sequencing, was central to the diagnosis of an unexpected viral infection, with significant clinical and public health implications.

Simultaneous titration and phenotypic antiviral drug susceptibility testing for herpes simplex virus 1 and 2.

Background: Most herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolates from treatment-naïve patients are susceptible to antivirals. However, prolonged antiviral therapy can select for drug-resistant strains, especially in immunocompromised patients. Standard phenotypic methods for antiviral resistance testing are labor and time-intense and molecular resistance determinants are insufficiently understood for routine diagnostic use of genotypic resistance testing.

Limited utility of culture for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae for diagnosis of respiratory tract infections.

We assessed the utility of culture for Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae to diagnose respiratory tract infections. Compared to PCR and IgM serology, culture was less sensitive and had extremely low yield. Culture is not recommended for these pathogens, and this method should be eliminated from routine practice.

Development of a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for detection of influenza A, influenza B, RSV and typing of the 2009-H1N1 influenza virus.

A high-throughput real-time RT-PCR assay was developed to amplify and detect a conserved region of the hemagglutinin gene of the 2009-H1N1 influenza A virus using a minor groove binder-conjugated hybridization probe. The assay was paired with a separate triplex real-time assay that detects influenza A via the matrix gene, influenza B and RSV in a multiplex format and compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rRT-PCR assay using 143 samples. The 2009-H1N1 portion of the multiplex assay had 100% correlation with the CDC assay, while the triplex assay had a 99% agreement.

Utility of terminal hemadsorption for detection of hemadsorbing respiratory viruses from conventional shell vial cultures for laboratories using R-Mix cultures.

Background: Many laboratories using R-Mix cell lines inoculate other shell vial cultures to improve the recovery of viruses, and in particular, perform terminal hemadsorption (THad) following 10-14 days of incubation to improve detection of respiratory viruses. We explored the cost-effectiveness and added benefits of THad on conventional shell vial cultures from respiratory samples for laboratories using R-Mix cell lines.

Objectives: To determine if eliminating the practice of THad from conventional shell vial culture when R-Mix cultures are negative, would result in a significant reduction in the number of hemadsorbing respiratory viruses detected.

Comparison of multiple shell vial cell lines for isolation of enteroviruses: a national perspective.

Background: Isolation of enterovirus in cell culture is still utilized by clinical laboratories, for vaccine research, and for identifying serotypes for disease surveillance. Use of a combination of cell lines is recommended yet this practice has not been rigorously examined for shell vials.

Objectives: To evaluate the growth predilection of enterovirus serotypes for certain shell vial cell lines in clinical samples received at a national reference laboratory.

Evaluation of the ELVIS plate method for the detection and typing of herpes simplex virus in clinical specimens.

This study was conducted to assess the reliability of a commercial enzyme-linked viral inducible system (ELVIS) (Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc., Athens, OH) for rapid detection and typing of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Results using ELVIS were compared to those of shell vial culture (SVC) and HSV detection with monoclonal antibodies and an immunoperoxidase stain plus typing with MicroTrak direct fluorescent antibodies (Trinity Biotech PLC, Wicklow, Ireland).

Sensitivity of respiratory virus culture when screening with R-mix fresh cells.

Use of R-Mix Fresh Cells has been shown to be a rapid and sensitive method for the detection and identification of respiratory viruses. We prospectively evaluated the impact of incorporation of R-Mix shell vials on the sensitivity and time to detection of seven respiratory viruses recovered in a comprehensive culture during the course of an entire respiratory season in a high-volume clinical laboratory. In this study, R-Mix shell vials were used as part of the culture of 3803 respiratory specimens.

Emergence of echovirus type 13 as a prominent enterovirus.

In 2001, increased activity of the rarely detected enterovirus echovirus type 13 (E13) was observed in the United States. This article describes the epidemiologic, clinical, and genetic characteristics of E13 activity in the United States in 2001, compared with E13 activity abroad in 2000-2002. In the United States, E13 accounted for 376 (24%) of the 1584 enterovirus isolates reported in 2001 (29% of the reported isolates had a known serotype), compared with 74 isolates reported during 1970-2000.