Detection of Respiratory Viruses and Atypical Bacterial Pathogens in Infants with Acute Respiratory Infections Using Multiplex PCR

Multiplex PCR of nasopharyngeal aspirates detected viruses and atypical bacteria in 75.3% (219/291) of infants with acute respiratory infections from July 2010 to June 2013. Frequent viruses were human rhinovirus (29.9%), parainfluenza virus (21.7%), respiratory syncytial virus (17.9%), and human metapneumovirus (10.3%). Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis were detected in 3.4% and 0.3%, respectively. (Ann Clin Microbiol 2014;17:86-90)