COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL AND REAL-TIME PCR FOR MONITORING OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS AMONG PEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN NORTHERN INDIA 2011-2014

Background: In India, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections (17 to 32%) in the pediatric age group. Viral detection during the acute phase of infection is a critical step for care and prevention. Objectives: We sought to investigate the detection of RSV by rt-RT-PCR, conventional PCR and cell culture among pediatric patients. Methods: Throat/nasal swab collected from the children (0-60 months) either outpatients/in patients having a respiratory illness from 2 to 5 days. Results: Total 375 samples were collected during 2011-2014, out of these 43 (11.4%) were positive for RSV by rt-RT-PCR, 38 (10.1%) and 22 (5.8%) were positive by conventional PCR and cell culture respectively. Bronchiolitis and pneumonia were commonly present in RSV (p<0.005). The positivity of the RSV was higher in infants (0-6 months). Conclusion: The rt-RT-PCR is rapid and sensitive, may replace conventional methods for early clinical diagnosis. However, cell culture and conventional PCR will remain important for molecular epidemiology. Age was an important risk factor which affects the positivity of RSV. Different clinical symptoms in RSV will help for an early and accurate diagnosis. Data will support to reduce the overall RSV-associated morbidity and mortality.