A Multiplex Reverse transcriptase PCR assay for detection of respiratory viruses in a tertiary care center in Tripura

Dr Tapan Majumdar; Saikat Majumder; Apurba Sarkar; Dr Gourab Chakraborty; Ayan Modak; Dr. Niladri Sekhar Das

Volume : X, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

A Multiplex Reverse transcriptase PCR assay for detection of respiratory viruses in a tertiary care center in Tripura

Dr Tapan Majumdar, Saikat Majumder, Apurba Sarkar, Dr Gourab Chakraborty, Ayan Modak, Dr. Niladri Sekhar Das

Abstract :

Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) are a leading cause of infectious disease–related morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality among children and adults worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to detect common viral agent causing acute respiratory tract illness in children and adult population of Tripura, to determine the proportion of Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses causing acute respiratory tract illness using Multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR. A two year cross sectional study from August 2016 to July 2018 was performed in patients attending OPD and IPD of this tertiary care centre with symptoms like acute fever 38°C or more, with any one of respiratory symptoms (such as sore throat, cough, Rhinorrhoea and eathlessness). Naso–pharyngeal swab was collected from patients below one year of age, and oral pharyngeal swabs/aspirate were collected from adult and paediatric population (1year to 70 years). Multiplex RT–PCR method was performed to detect the viral agents. A total of 289 patients were enrolled in this study from August 2016 to July 2018. Among the population 65.06% (n=188) was children and 34.94% (n=101) adult. The number of viral pathogens detected was 24% (69/289) patients. In children the most frequently detected viral agent was Influenza B (65.22%), in the adult group H1N1 predominated with 60.87%. Multiplex one step RT–PCR shows greater sensitivity and is useful for quickly differentiating between influenza types and subtypes. This will help in ongoing surveillance programme for influenza like illness and determining public health measures.