Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens Using a Rapid Multiplex PCR
Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens Using a Rapid Multiplex PCR
Background:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure where a tube is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs. Fluid is squirted through the tube into a part of the lung and then collected for examination. It is used to detect respiratory viruses. BAL is a relatively invasive procedure, and researchers want to test the accuracy of other procedures that do not involve collecting fluid from the lungs. The nasopharynx is the area of the upper throat that lies behind the nose. Researchers want to see if a swab taken from this area is as accurate as a BAL sample.
Objectives:
- To see if a nasopharynx swab can be used to detect respiratory viruses as well as BAL samples.
Eligibility:
- Individuals at least 12 years of age who will have a bronchoscopy to collect a BAL sample to test for respiratory viruses.
Design:
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens can be used for the detection of respiratory viruses. Although bronchoscopy is relatively safe, it still has inherent risks to the subject. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens are easy to collect and are minimally invasive for the subject. We will use a rapid multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect respiratory viruses in paired BAL and NP specimens to determine if either specimen is more likely to be positive. The study population will include all patients undergoing bronchoscopy for clinical indications at the Clinical Center. This is a prospective observational study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
None