Clinical Outcomes of Acutely Ill Children According to Cycle Threshold Values of Respiratory Viruses Detected by Multiplex PCR Testing.

In this cohort study of 800 children attending a pediatric emergency department at Oulu University Hospital, Finland with fever or respiratory symptoms, the cycle threshold values of point-of-care multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing for respiratory viruses were not associated with hospitalization, respiratory support, or need for intensive care.

Nasopharyngeal detection of atypical bacteria by multiplex polymerase chain reaction panel in acutely ill children was associated with an increased risk of pneumonia.

Aim: We aimed to assess whether detection of respiratory bacteria by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing associates with clinical outcomes in acutely ill children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled children under the age of 18 with a suspected respiratory infection treated in a paediatric emergency department of Oulu University Hospital, Finland from January 2015 through December 2015. Nasopharyngeal samples were routinely analysed for 16 respiratory viruses and later, after storage, analysed with a multiplex PCR panel for seven respiratory bacteria.

Absence from day care or school and parental absence from work during children's respiratory infections.

Aim: To investigate the social burden of nasopharyngeal detection of various respiratory viruses and the co-detection of viral and bacterial pathogens.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 737 children with a suspected respiratory tract infection or fever in a paediatric emergency department during one epidemiological year (2014-2015) in Finland. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were analysed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction for 16 viruses and 7 respiratory bacteria.

Duration of clinical symptoms in children with acute respiratory infection.

Aim: To investigate duration of clinical symptoms associated with various respiratory viruses and with the co-detection of respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 737 acutely ill children treated in a paediatric emergency department prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nasal swab samples were analysed with multiplex PCR panels for 16 viral and 7 bacterial respiratory pathogens.

Effect of Point-of-Care Testing for Respiratory Pathogens on Antibiotic Use in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Limited data are available on the clinical impact of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) point-of-care testing for respiratory pathogens in acutely ill children.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of multiplex PCR point-of-care testing for respiratory pathogens on antibiotic use in acutely ill children.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This unblinded, randomized clinical trial was conducted from May 6, 2019, through March 12, 2020.