BACKGROUND: Human Parainfluenza Viruses (HPIV) type 4 are responsible for respiratory infections. Unlike HPIV types 1-3, they are associated with mild infections and appear to be infrequent. Thus, they often go undetected. STUDY DESIGN: From 1998 to 2002, in 20 respiratory samples of hospitalised patient, we isolated viruses presenting a large syncytial cytopathic effect when inoculated on LLC-MK2 cells. Most of the patients (16/20) were young infants and all of them presented with respiratory infections. RESULTS: We detected 18 cases during autumn and winter, 1 case during spring and 1 during summer. We could not identify these viruses using the panel of routine assays. Samples were then analysed by specific HPIV 4 RT-PCR and IF assays. All the samples were scored positive with both methods. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HPIV 4 infections are probably underestimated. Their role in viral respiratory infections should be carefully investigated using techniques adapted to their detection and culture.
BACKGROUND:HumanParainfluenza Viruses (HPIV) type 4 are responsible for respiratory infections. Unlike HPIV types 1-3, they are associated with mild infections and appear to be infrequent. Thus, they often go undetected. STUDY DESIGN: From 1998 to 2002, in 20 respiratory samples of hospitalised patient, we isolated viruses presenting a large syncytial cytopathic effect when inoculated on LLC-MK2 cells. Most of the patients (16/20) were young infants and all of them presented with respiratory infections. RESULTS: We detected 18 cases during autumn and winter, 1 case during spring and 1 during summer. We could not identify these viruses using the panel of routine assays. Samples were then analysed by specific HPIV 4 RT-PCR and IF assays. All the samples were scored positive with both methods. CONCLUSION: We conclude that HPIV 4 infections are probably underestimated. Their role in viral respiratory infections should be carefully investigated using techniques adapted to their detection and culture.
Authors: Susanna K P Lau; Kenneth S M Li; Kam-yu Chau; Lok-yee So; Rodney A Lee; Yu-lung Lau; Kwok-hung Chan; Wilina W L Lim; Patrick C Y Woo; Kwok-yung Yuen Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2009-03-04 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: David E Alquezar-Planas; Tobias Mourier; Christian A W Bruhn; Anders J Hansen; Sarah Nathalie Vitcetz; Søren Mørk; Jan Gorodkin; Hanne Abel Nielsen; Yan Guo; Anand Sethuraman; Ellen E Paxinos; Tongling Shan; Eric L Delwart; Lars P Nielsen Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2013 Impact factor: 4.379