Screening for potential susceptibility to rubella in an antenatal population: A multivariate analysis.

Rubella causes disease in the fetus. Immunity to rubella is therefore, routinely screened in pregnant women. In this retrospective observational study, we assessed the levels of potential susceptibility to rubella in the population of a north London antenatal clinic. Risk factors for potential susceptibility to rubella and changes in potential susceptibility to rubella over time were studied. Almost all women were screened for potential susceptibility to rubella (99.8%). The majority were predicted to be immune (96.8%). Women booking in later years within the study period showed higher levels of potential susceptibility to rubella. Booking during each subsequent year in the study gave women an odds ratio of 0.91 (CI:0.84, 0.98, P = 0.009) of being predicted to have immunity against rubella. Age was associated with predicted immunity to rubella, with a 5.1% (CI:3.3%, 6.9%, P < 0.001) increased likelihood for every year older. Previous pregnancy was predictive of immunity against rubella with an odds ratio of 1.41 (CI 1.21, 1.61, P = 0.001). Those from a non-white ethnicity were less likely to have antibodies predictive of immunity (OR: 0.730, CI: 0.581, 0.879 P < 0.001). Country of birth was associated with differences in potential susceptibility, with those being born outside of the British Isles having an odds ratio for predicted immunity of 0.63 (CI:0.35,0.91, P = 0.001). Being born in a high-risk country for rubella non-immunity was also a risk factor, giving an odds ratio of predicted immunity to rubella of 0.55 (CI:0.32, 0.77, P < 0.001).

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and varicella zoster virus infection in the first two years of life: a cohort study in Bradford, UK.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are common herpesviruses frequently acquired in childhood, which establish persistent, latent infection and are likely to impact the developing immune system. Little is known about the epidemiology of CMV and EBV infections in contemporary UK paediatric populations, particularly whether age at infection differs by ethnic group. METHODS: Children enrolled in the Born in Bradford Allergy and Infection Study had a blood sample taken and a questionnaire completed at 12 and 24 months of age. Ordered logistic regression quantified associations between ethnicity and other risk factors and age at CMV/EBV/VZV infection (<12 months, 12-24 months, uninfected at 24 months). RESULTS: Pakistani children (n = 472) were more likely to be infected with CMV and EBV at a younger age than White British children (n = 391) (CMV: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-4.33; EBV: adjusted OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.43-3.26). Conversely, Pakistani children had lower odds of being VZV infected in the second year than White British children (adjusted OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.97). There was a strong association between increasing birth order and later CMV infection in Pakistani children. CONCLUSIONS: We report large differences in CMV and EBV incidence in the first 2 years between Pakistani and White British children born in Bradford, which cannot be explained by differences in risk factors for infection. Our data will inform the optimum schedule for future CMV and EBV vaccination programmes.

Transmission of Hepatitis B Core Antibody and Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay Positivity via Immunoglobulin Products: A Comprehensive Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic immunoglobulins are used as replacement or immunomodulatory therapy, but can transmit clinically important molecules. We investigated hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies and galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) positivity. Detection of HBV core antibody may prompt antiviral prophylaxis when commencing therapy such as rituximab; a positive GM-EIA result prompts investigation or treatment for invasive fungal disease. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of HBV serology in 80 patients established (>6 months) on immunoglobulin therapy; prospective analysis of HBV serology in 16 patients commencing intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG); and pre- and post-infusion analysis of GM-EIA in 37 patients receiving IVIG. RESULTS: Pre-IVIG, 9 of 80 patients tested positive for HBV surface antibody and 1 of 80 tested equivocal for HBV core antibody. On IVIG, 79 of 79 tested positive for surface antibody, 37 of 80 tested positive for core antibody, and 10 of 80 tested equivocal for core antibody. There were significant differences by product, but among patients receiving products that appear to transmit core antibody, negative results correlated with lower surface antibody titers and longer time since infusion, suggesting a simple concentration effect. There was a progressive increase with each infusion in the percentage of patients testing positive for HBV core antibody among patients newly commencing IVIG. Some patients "seroreverted" to negative during therapy. Certain IVIG products tested positive for GM-EIA and there were rises in index values in corresponding patient samples from pre- to post-infusion. Overall, 5 of 37 patient samples pre-infusion and 15 of 37 samples post-infusion tested positive for GM-EIA. CONCLUSIONS: HBV antibodies and GM-EIA positivity are common in patients receiving IVIG and confound diagnostic results.

The prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a large multi-ethnic haemodialysis cohort.

BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis patients are at increased risk of exposure to blood borne viruses. To reduce transmission in the UK, all haemodialysis patients are regularly screened, and if susceptible to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, vaccinated. METHODS: This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the HBV immune status in a large dialysis cohort and the prevalence of occult HBV infection, defined as the presence of anti-HBcore antibody (anti-HBcAb) and HBV DNA without detectable HB surface antigen (HBsAg). Information on HBV status was retrieved from haemodialysis patients under the care of The Royal Free Hospital, London, UK between 2009-2010. Available sera from 138 of 161 anti-HBcAb positive/HBsAg negative individuals were anonymised and tested for HBV DNA by a real time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: 15 (2%) of 793 patients had chronic HBV infection (HBsAg positive). 161 (20%) were anti-HBcAb positive but HBsAg negative suggesting past infection. 335 (54%) of the remaining 617 patients were considered immune following vaccination (anti-HBsAb > 10 IU/L). Three (2.2%) of the 138 anti-HBcAb positive, HBsAg negative patients had detectable HBV DNA (3, 5 and 9 IU/ml). Standard liver function tests were normal in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a large multi-ethnic London haemodialysis cohort, 20% patients had evidence of past HBV infection. Despite this, the prevalence of occult HBV was found to be low and the very low levels of HBV DNA detected are unlikely to pose a nosocomial transmission risk in the presence of robust vaccination and infection control measures.

Serological cross reactivity to CMV and EBV causes problems in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis E virus infection.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important public health concern as a major cause of enterically-transmitted hepatitis worldwide. The detectable window of viraemia is narrow, and HEV IgM and IgG rise simultaneously in acute infection. Furthermore, previous investigators have shown HEV IgM false positive reactions occur against EBV, CMV and potentially hepatitis A. A retrospective analysis of HEV serology testing was performed at a London tertiary referral hospital over a 3-year period. A thousand four hundred and twenty three serum samples were tested for HEV serology, with 33 samples HEV IgM positive and 28 HEV IgM equivocal. One hundred and eleven samples were HEV IgG positive but IgM negative suggesting past infection. No patients with HEV IgM positivity had false positive reactions against hepatitis A. A high degree of EBV and CMV cross reactivity was noted, with 33.3% and 24.2% of HEV IgM positive samples also testing positive for EBV and CMV IgM, respectively. HEV RNA was detected in four HEV IgM positive samples, indicating true positivity, although three demonstrated cross reactivity against EBV. Only 13.3% of samples with positive HEV IgM were HEV PCR positive, highlighting a low positive predictive value of serology testing. Overall a high level of HEV, EBV and CMV IgM cross reactivity was demonstrated, indicating that serology is unreliable in the diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis. It is concluded that that the diagnosis of viral hepatitis should be based on clinical features, raised transaminases, serology, and confirmatory PCR testing.

Interleukin 28B gene polymorphisms and Epstein-Barr virus-associated lymphoproliferative diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin (IL) 28B gene encoding a type III interferon (IFN-λ) are the most important genetic predictors of treatment response to hepatitis C virus (HCV). This retrospective study was undertaken to determine any association between IL28B SNPs and the development of viraemia in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). METHODS: Genomic DNA extracted from plasma from 45 EBV seropositive controls and 46 acute IM, 23 non-PTLD (transplant) and 21 PTLD patients was tested by PCR for 2 SNPs within IL28B. EBV DNA levels were tested in IM and PTLD samples by a real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: No significant differences were seen in SNP frequencies at rs12979860 and rs8099917 in IM and PTLD patients compared to EBV seropositive controls and transplant patients. EBV DNA levels were lower in IM and PTLD patients with CC (a favourable genotype in HCV) at rs12979860 compared to non-CC genotypes (p = 0.055). Acute IM patients with CC had significantly lower levels of EBV DNA in plasma compared to those with non-CC genotypes (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Genotype CC may influence anti-viral responses of IFN-λ, thereby allowing better control of EBV viraemia during lymphoproliferation, particularly in IM.

A case of TAFRO syndrome with DIC and neurologic and cardiac involvement.

We highlight a novel case of TAFRO syndrome with disseminated intravascular coagulation, neurologic changes, and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. Through this clinical vignette, we hope to raise awareness of TAFRO syndrome and encourage providers to maintain a high level of suspicion for it when evaluating patients who meet the diagnostic criteria.

COVID-19 Radiology Preparedness, Challenges & Opportunities: Responses From 18 Countries.

PURPOSE: Radiology departments around the world have been faced with the challenge to adapt, and recover to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is part of a worldwide survey of radiologists' responses to COVID-19 in 18 different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The purpose of this study is to analyze the changes made in international radiology departments and practices in response to the pandemic. METHODS: The 18-item survey was sent via email from April to May 2020 to radiologists in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to assess their response to COVID-19. Our survey included questions regarding imaging, workforce adjustments, testing availability, staff and patient safety, research and education, and infrastructure availability. RESULTS: Twenty-eight survey responses were reviewed. Of the 28 respondents, 42.9% have shortages of infrastructure and 78.6% responded that COVID-19 testing was available. Regarding the use of Chest CT in COVID-19 patients, 28.6% respondents used Chest CT as screening for COVID-19. For staff safety, interventions included encouraging use of masks in patient encounters, social distancing and PPE training. To cope with their education and research mission, radiology departments are doing online lectures, reducing the number of residents in rotations, and postponing any non-urgent activities. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there are disparities in infrastructure, research, and educational initiatives during COVID-19 which also provides opportunity for the global radiology community to work together on these issues.

Detection of highly prevalent hepatitis B virus coinfection among HIV-seropositive persons in Ghana.

Simple hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests may facilitate ascertainment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in settings with high endemicity but limited infrastructure. We evaluated two rapid HBsAg tests and characterized HBV coinfection in a Ghanaian HIV-positive cohort. Samples from 838 patients were tested by the rapid assays Determine and Vikia and the reference assays Architect, Murex version 3, and Liaison Ultra. The assays were also evaluated using the 2nd International Standard, a seroconversion panel, and two mutant panels. HBsAg-positive samples underwent HBV DNA quantification by real-time PCR and surface and polymerase gene population sequencing. Overall, 140/838 patients (16.7%; 95% confidence interval, 14.2 to 19.2%) were HBsAg positive, and of these, 103/140 (73.6%) were e-antigen negative and 118/140 (84.3%) showed an HBV DNA level of >14 IU/ml (median, 8,279 IU/ml). Assay sensitivities and specificities were as follows: Architect, 97.9 and 99.6%; Liaison, 97.1 and 99.4%; Murex, 98.6 and 99.3%; Determine, 69.3 and 100%; and Vikia, 70.7 and 100%. With Determine, the limit of detection was >1.5 to 3.4 HBsAg IU/ml, and the median HBV DNA loads were 598 and 10,905 IU/ml in Determine-negative and -positive samples, respectively (P = 0.0005). Results were similar with the Vikia assay. HBV DNA sequencing indicated infection with genotype E in 82/86 (95.3%) patients. HBsAg mutations affected assay performance, including a T123A mutant that escaped detection by Architect. Major drug resistance mutations were observed in 4/86 patients (4.6%). The prevalence of HBV coinfection was high in this HIV-positive Ghanaian cohort. The two rapid assays identified HBsAg-positive patients at risk for liver disease with high specificity, albeit with only moderate sensitivity.

Factors Influencing Prone Positioning in Treating Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and the Effect on Mortality Rate.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is often associated with severe hypoxemia and a high mortality rate. Prone positioning is a well-established intervention for ARDS. It has been shown to improve oxygenation and prevent ventilator-induced lung injury due to the more uniform distribution of lung stress and strain. This narrative review aims to compare the various factors that may influence how prone positioning affects mortality rates. We will examine the duration of time a patient is in the prone position, severity of ARDS, use of lung-protective ventilation, and the time elapsed between ARDS diagnosis and placing a patient in the prone position. A literature review on prone positioning in ARDS was performed and searched data from PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published from 2010 to 2020. Although no single variable used during prone positioning reduces mortality rates in ARDS patients, combining several optimal conditions may yield increased survival benefits. Early initiation of extended prone positioning sessions combined with low tidal volumes shows encouraging results in severe ARDS patients. Future research on this subject should focus on further examining these variables in a study enrolling a larger number of subjects in a setting with adequately trained staff familiar with proper prone positioning techniques.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Comparison of Transradial Versus Transfemoral Cerebral Angiography.

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the primary reason for long-term disability. This debilitating condition can be divided into ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The former occurs in almost 90% of all cases and arises from the occlusion of the supplying artery. Over the years, the management of stroke has developed from solely medical treatment to that which combines medical with mechanical treatment. Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has drawn considerable interest in advanced medicine and is becoming more widely available. The two fundamental techniques in opening an occluded vessel are the transfemoral and transradial approaches. This literature review aims to compare the clinical implications, complication rate, and overall outcome between the transfemoral and transradial approaches in endovascular intervention in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We conducted a literature review on ischemic stroke and searched PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles published from January 2010 to March 2020. Mechanical thrombectomy has become the standard of care for patients with brain ischemia. The transradial approach exhibited superiority to the transfemoral route in resolving symptoms, decreased complication rates, and reduced healthcare costs in a subset of patients. In this literature review, the comparison between the two procedures reveals that the outcomes for anterior circulation stroke and posterior vascular system stroke may vary. Further research needs to be conducted to improve procedural skills and decrease technical difficulties, ultimately resulting in improved overall patient outcomes with respect to health and comfort.

Role of Substance P in the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Correlation With the Degree of Inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multi-factorial, chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, containing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). In UC, inflammation and sores are confined morphologically and microscopically to the mucosa, the innermost surface of the colon and the rectum. Although, in CD, the infection is granulomatous and transmural, affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus, with the skip area in-between. A Neuropeptide, substance P (SP), which acts as a neurotransmitter and as a neuromodulator, plays a vital role in the brain-gut axis under stress. Owing to the pro-inflammatory effects of SP, neuropeptide dysregulation induces inflammation in the intestine. There are variations in the distribution of substance P immunoreactive fibres in the various intestinal layers. The highest concentration of SP is in the mucosa and the lowest concentration in the lamina propria of the intestinal muscular membrane. Reduced vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels and elevated SP levels observed in the colonic mucosa of IBD by using immunohistochemistry and immunoassay. This literature review aims to find out the correlations between the level of substance P (SP) and disease activity. We conducted a literature review on IBD, SP, and we searched PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant articles in English. The result of the study supports a positive relationship between the level of substance P (SP) and disease activity, with increased concentration of substance p in the colon and rectum of CD and UC patients. It is concluded that patients with active CD, along with inflammatory changes, had elevated plasma SP levels and immunoreactivity of SP in the colon than those seen in control and inactive cases. These alterations are more prevalent in ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease and are more prevalent in the moderately infected area than the least affected area of the intestine.

Cardiovascular Involvement in Psoriasis, Diagnosing Subclinical Atherosclerosis, Effects of Biological and Non-Biological Therapy: A Literature Review.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious chronic inflammatory disease of skin and joints. Previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that psoriatic patients have a shorter life expectancy, mainly due to cardiovascular (CV) events with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, obesity, and hypertension. Besides these risk factors, psoriasis likely plays an independent role in increasing CV events probably due to the chronic inflammatory state. This literature review aims to summarize the mechanism of atherosclerosis formation, CV risk factors, tools to diagnose subclinical atherosclerosis, and the effects of various therapies in psoriatic patients to prevent cardiovascular-related deaths in psoriasis. This review was performed by searching the relevant articles in PubMed and Google Scholar databases without including any exclusion criteria and time limitations. Our review documented that psoriatic patients are at increased risk of CV events due to chronic inflammatory profile and the associated CV risk factors. Also, anti-inflammatory therapies may prevent early subclinical atherosclerotic vascular changes reducing cardiovascular events. However, the available studies lack to establish the exact targets for CV risk factors, to assess the clinical importance of screening for subclinical vascular changes and the impact of anti-inflammatory therapies on CV risk profile in psoriatic patients. This heightened awareness about the CV involvement in psoriasis should encourage conducting large, well planned comprehensive studies to address these issues that can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Long-term Opioids Linked to Hypogonadism and the Role of Testosterone Supplementation Therapy.

Opioids play a pivotal role in managing chronic pain with increasing prescription rates over the last few years. Hence, it is crucial to focus on the adverse effects of narcotics, and one of the lesser-known side effects is hypogonadism. Opioids act on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and directly on the gonads affecting serum testosterone levels. Narcotic-induced androgen insufficiency contributes to sexual dysfunction, infertility, hyperalgesia, and involving various body functions overall, affecting the quality of life. Opioid-induced hypogonadism is very challenging to diagnose for the clinicians, as the patients often under-report the symptoms. There are no established guidelines to analyze androgen insufficiency and dealing with their manifestations successfully. We did a substantial search in PubMed and Google Scholar, using various combinations of keywords to collect data to evaluate the impacts of opioids on serum testosterone levels. This study aims to highlight the clinical significance of opioid-induced androgen deficiency and the diagnostic techniques to recognize and credible treatment alternatives, including testosterone replacement therapy. Health care providers should screen the patients routinely for the signs and symptoms and monitor them often for the hormonal changes to select the patients cautiously for testosterone replacement therapy.

Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Heart Failure Patients With Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Effects on Clinical Outcomes: A Literature Review.

Vitamin D deficiency has become a global pandemic affecting approximately one billion people worldwide. Much attention has been paid to the association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and various chronic diseases, especially heart failure (HF). A clear role of vitamin D deficiency has been established, with increased mortality and morbidity in heart failures. However, previous randomized control trials have failed to show improvement in clinical outcomes with calciferol supplementation in these patients. Therefore, it is still unclear whether calciferol therapy can be added to the standard care in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients with deficiency. Hence, to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation in CHF patients with low serum 25(OH)D, we conducted an extensive search in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using various combinations of keywords. All potentially eligible studies that evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes in HF patients were retrieved and extensively studied. We also checked the references of all eligible studies to identify additional relevant publications. In this study, we reviewed various mechanisms of vitamin D affecting the cardiovascular system and examined the impact of deficiency on heart failures in terms of mortality and hospitalizations. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation has failed to improve the clinical outcomes in HF patients. The possible long-term benefits of supplementation cannot be excluded. Therefore, for future clinical trials, we recommend considering large sample sizes, longer follow-up durations, along with optimal dosage and appropriate dosing frequency.

Performance of the architect EBV antibody panel for determination of Epstein-Barr virus infection stage in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults with clinical suspicion of infectious mononucleosis.

The Architect EBV antibody panel is a new chemiluminescence immunoassay system used to determine the stage of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection based on the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1). We evaluated its diagnostic accuracy in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults with clinical suspicion of infectious mononucleosis (IM) using the RecomLine EBV IgM and IgG immunoblots as the reference standard. In addition, the use of the antibody panel in a sequential testing algorithm based on initial EBNA-1 IgG analysis was assessed for cost-effectiveness. Finally, we investigated the degree of cross-reactivity of the VCA IgM marker during other primary viral infections that may present with an EBV IM-like picture. High sensitivity (98.3% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 90.7 to 99.7%]) and specificity (94.2% [95% CI, 87.9 to 97.8%]) were found after testing 162 precharacterized archived serum samples. There was perfect agreement between the use of the antibody panel in sequential and parallel testing algorithms, but substantial cost savings (23%) were obtained with the sequential strategy. A high rate of reactive VCA IgM results was found in primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections (60.7%). In summary, the Architect EBV antibody panel performs satisfactorily in the investigation of EBV IM in immunocompetent adolescents and young adults, and the application of an EBNA-1 IgG-based sequential testing algorithm is cost-effective in this diagnostic setting. Concomitant testing for CMV is strongly recommended to aid in the interpretation of EBV serological patterns.

Comparison of automated chemiluminescence immunoassays with capture enzyme immunoassays for the detection of measles and mumps IgM antibodies in serum.

Outbreaks of measles and mumps occur regularly in the UK. Rapid diagnosis of acute infection is important for both infection control and epidemiological purposes. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of an automated platform (DiaSorin Liaison(®), Saluggia, Italy) with a manual capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Microimmune, Hounslow, UK) for the detection of measles and mumps IgM antibodies in serum from symptomatic individuals. Ninety sera tested previously for measles (n=50) and mumps (n=40) IgM using the manual EIA were tested retrospectively using the DiaSorin Liaison(®) and the results compared. Sensitivity, specificity, inter-assay variability and intra-assay variability of the Liaison(®) assays were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity of the Liaison(®) assay for measles IgM were 92% and 100% respectively, with inter-assay variation of 14.1% and intra-assay variation of 12.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the mumps IgM Liaison(®) assay were 88% and 95% respectively, with an inter-assay and intra-assay variation of 13.9% and 5.3% respectively. Both the measles and mumps IgM Liaison(®) assays gave fewer equivocal results than the EIA. Neither Liaison(®) IgM assay showed any cross-reactivity with sera positive against other viruses, however the measles IgM EIA cross-reacted with parvovirus IgM. The automated Liaison(®) assays are more specific, cheaper and less labour-intensive compared to the manual EIA. The Liaison(®) assays benefit from reduced number of equivocal results compared to the EIA for both measles and mumps IgM. This allows clinical decisions to be made accurately and in a timely manner.

Performance of a nurse-led paediatric point of care service for respiratory syncytial virus testing in secondary care.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-point-of-care-testing (POCT) performance among paediatric patients with respiratory symptoms, using the BinaxNOW(®) RSV assay performed by trained nurses on the paediatric ward, and compare results with those obtained by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Four paediatric nurses were trained and certified in using RSV-POCT. Between October 2008 and March 2009, all hospitalised children below 5 years of age presenting with a suspected RSV infection had nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) tested by RSV-POCT by the nurses and a real-time PCR targeting common respiratory viruses by laboratory staff. RESULTS: Among 159 NPS, 21 (13.2%) were RSV-POCT positive and 138 (86.8%) negative. All 21 RSV-POCT positive samples were positive by PCR, yielding a specificity of 100% (95% CI 95.7%, 100.0%). Of 138 RSV-POCT negative samples, 30 (21.7%) were RSV positive by PCR (sensitivity 41.2%; 95% CI: 27.9%, 55.8%). The positive and negative predictive values for RSV-POCT were 100% (95% CI 80.8%, 100.0%) and 78.3% (95% CI 70.3%, 84.6%) respectively. Other respiratory viruses were detected in 52/138 (39.9%) NPS. CONCLUSIONS: A POCT for RSV run by trained nurses can be used reliably as a first screening step in symptomatic children. Negative samples should be analysed for RSV and other respiratory pathogens by real-time PCR.