ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an emergent human respiratory pathogen. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) to detect hMPV in a clinical laboratory setting.
METHODS:
Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples (448) of children and adults with respiratory illness were used to detect hMPV by using DIF and real time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays.
RESULTS:
In all, 36 (8%) samples were positive by DIF and 94 (21%) were positive by qRT-PCR. Direct immunofluorescence specificity was 99% and sensitivity was 38%.
CONCLUSIONS:
DIF is not very sensitive under clinical laboratory settings.
Keywords:
Human metapneumovirus; Direct immunofluorescence; qRT-PCR
