Prevalence of parainfluenza and influenza viruses amongst children with upper respiratory tract infection

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Parainfluenza and Influenza causing upper respiratory tract infections and to evaluate shell vial culture assay and direct immunofluorescence assay.

METHODS: A retrospective study during the period between November 1997 and May 1998. A total of 350 nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from children suffering from respiratory tract infections. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were investigated for the presence of Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, Influenza A and B using shell vial culture assay, conventional culture assay and direct immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS: Parainfluenza 1 were identified in 3%, Parainfluenza 2 in 5% and Parainfluenza 3 in 6%. Influenza A were identified in 4% and Influenza B in 2%. Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3 were isolated in children less than 5 years old. Most of Parainfluenza cases were associated with other upper respiratory infections. Shell vial assay showed a sensitivity of 90-93% and specificity of 99-100% for detecting Parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3.

CONCLUSION: These results emphasize that shell vial assay is important for the diagnosis of Parainfluenza and Influenza, although direct immunofluorescence assay is the superior diagnositic assay.