Fenwick F, Young B, McGuckin R, Robinson MJ, Taha Y, Taylor CE, Toms GL. Diagnosis of human metapneumovirus by immunofluorescence staining with monoclonal antibodies in the North-East of England.
J Clin Virol 2007;
40:193-6. [PMID:
17869169 DOI:
10.1016/j.jcv.2007.07.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2007] [Accepted: 07/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Since its discovery in 2001 human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been shown to be a significant cause of human respiratory disease, responsible for 5-8% of respiratory infections in hospitalised children. Diagnosis hitherto has been largely carried out by reverse tanscriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) but immunofluorescence staining of cells from nasopharyngeal secretions (IF) offers advantages for some laboratories and may produce a more rapid result in urgent cases. We have recently demonstrated that IF with a rabbit antiserum gave sensitivity equal to that of RT-PCR. However, monoclonal antibodies offer a more plentiful, uniform IF reagent.
OBJECTIVES
Here we have evaluated a pool of anti-hMPV monoclonal antibodies in the routine diagnosis of respiratory infections in hospitalised infants and children.
STUDY DESIGN
Eight hundred and fifty-seven routine respiratory specimens were tested by IF with rabbit polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibody pool in parallel. A further 1003 specimens were tested with the monoclonal antibody pool alone. All specimens were also tested for a panel of other respiratory viruses by IF.
RESULTS
Both rabbit polyclonal antiserum and monoclonal antibody pool gave positive results in 56 and negative results in 797 specimens. The rabbit polyclonal antibody detected virus in a further two specimens which were negative when tested with the monoclonal pool giving a concordance of 96.6% and a specificity of 100% for the monoclonal antibody pool. Overall hMPV was detected in 5% of specimens whilst 18.4% were positive for hRSV.
CONCLUSIONS
The monoclonal antibody pool-based IF is a robust assay suitable for routine use with a sensitivity only slightly less than that of the other major diagnostic methodologies available.
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