[Indirect immunofluorescence technique versus polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of respiratory viruses in children admitted to a hospital in the Metropolitan Region].

Background: Early viral detection in acute respiratory infections (ARI) is essential to establish appropriate therapy and prevent nosocomial transmission.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of indirect immunofluorescence technique (IIF) with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify respiratory viruses in children hospitalized for ARI.

Methods: 47 nasopharyngeal aspirates of children ≤ 2 years with ARI were included.