Performance of direct immunofluorescence assay for the detection of human metapneumovirus under clinical laboratory settings

Abstract

DIF is not very sensitive under clinical laboratory settings.

Human Metapneumovirus Pediatric Respiratory Infections: Comparing Direct Immunofluorescence versus Polymerase Chain Reaction

“…Similar results were reported by different investigators: 94.1% in Italy (41), 97% in Japan (8), 100% in Canada (42) and 99% in Brazil (43). In contrast, the analytical sensitivity (50%) was found to be lower than studies (44) reported 100% sensitivity and 89% specificity of DFA when compared to RT-PCR assay and concluded that DFA can be securely used in hMPV screening tests.…”

Human metapneumovirus in Southern Brazil

“…In 2010, hMPV infections occurred throughout three seasons (autumn, winter, and spring), whereas hRSV presented the same incidence peak as observed in the other years. hMPV infections occur throughout the year; however, more cases have been detected in winter and spring in other studies 15,40,41 . Therefore, the seasonal occurrence of hMPV appears to coincide with hRSV infections 37,39,42,43 .…”

“…Rio Grande do Sul is a state located in South Brazil and divided into several geographic regions with subtropical and humid climate. Respiratory infections are important public health problems in this state, since it presents one of the coldest climates of the country 14,15,35 . The present study demonstrated that hMPV circulated mainly in EWs in the winter and in the beginning of spring in 2009, 2010, and 2011.…”

“…Epidemiological data demonstrated that the frequency of hMPV occurrence ranges from 1.5-43%, according to the population group and geographic region [12][13][14][15][16] . hMPV cases are also more frequent in winter and spring, usually occurring together with hRSV outbreaks 1,2,12,14 .…”

“…hMPV cases are also more frequent in winter and spring, usually occurring together with hRSV outbreaks 1,2,12,14 . In viral respiratory diseases, hMPV frequency ranges from 5.6% to 20.1% as demonstrated by independent studies in different Brazilian cities 14,[15][16][17][18][19] . Similar frequencies have been observed in other South American countries [20][21][22][23] .…”