Direct immunofluorescence assay compared to cell culture for the diagnosis of mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in children.

Background: Direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) is commonly used for the rapid identification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in mucocutaneous lesions, yet little is known about its diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic yield and accuracy of HSV DFA for the diagnosis of mucocutaneous HSV infection in pediatric patients.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent HSV DFA testing by the Texas Children's Hospital Diagnostic Virology between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2005.

Performance of a new immunochromatographic assay for detection of adenoviruses in children.

Background: Adenoviruses are a prominent cause of respiratory, ocular, gastrointestinal, and disseminated diseases in healthy and immunocompromised children. An accurate rapid diagnostic assay may impact clinical decision-making.

Objectives: Evaluate the performance of a new rapid assay for detection of adenoviruses directly in pediatric clinical specimens.

Rapid assays for the diagnosis of influenza A and B viruses in patients evaluated at a large tertiary care children's hospital during two consecutive winter seasons.

Background: The rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza facilitates antiviral therapy, judicious antibiotic usage, and cohorting patients to decrease nosocomial infection.

Objective: To determine the utility of rapid influenza tests in a children's hospital.

Study Design: Two in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assays that detect and distinguish influenza A and B viruses were compared to the reference standard of viral culture.

Performance of a rapid assay (Binax NOW) for detection of respiratory syncytial virus at a children's hospital over a 3-year period.

A rapid assay, Binax NOW RSV, was compared to viral culture for 14,756 pediatric respiratory specimens obtained from 2003 to 2006. There were 794 viral culture-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infections. Sensitivity was 81%, and specificity was 93.

Performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of influenza virus in children during the 2003 to 2004 influenza season.

Study Objective: We evaluate the performance of a rapid assay (Binax NOW) for the detection of influenza A virus in children.

Methods: The performance of an in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of influenza A virus was compared to viral culture in 4,383 consecutive respiratory specimens received during the 2003 to 2004 season, which included an influenza A epidemic in October and November of 2003.

Results: The overall test sensitivity was 61.

Frequent detection of polyomaviruses in stool samples from hospitalized children.

Infection with BK virus (BKV) generally occurs early during life, but its mode of transmission has not been clearly defined. We tested the hypothesis that polyomavirus shedding in stool may be a source of BKV exposure.METHODS.