Pseudo-outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit due to cross-reactivity of surfactant and a rapid immunoassay

Dawn Terashita Gastelum; Ashley Peterson; Laurene Mascola; David Dassey; Elizabeth Camargo

doi:10.1086/605545

Pseudo-outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit due to cross-reactivity of surfactant and a rapid immunoassay

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2009 Sep;30(9):890-2. doi: 10.1086/605545.

Authors

Dawn Terashita Gastelum¹, Ashley Peterson, Laurene Mascola, David Dassey, Elizabeth Camargo

Affiliation

¹ Acute Communicable Disease Control, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, California 90012, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 19619057
DOI: 10.1086/605545

Abstract

We describe a pseudo-outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus infection in a neonatal intensive care unit at the White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Investigation of a reported cluster of cases in the early fall of 2007 identified false-positive results due to cross-reactivity between surfactant and a rapid immunoassay. This highlights the need for diagnosis confirmation, especially during periods of low disease prevalence.

MeSH terms

Antigens, Viral / immunology*
Cross Reactions
Disease Outbreaks
False Positive Reactions
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Immunoassay / methods
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature / immunology
Infant, Premature, Diseases / diagnosis
Infant, Premature, Diseases / epidemiology*
Infant, Premature, Diseases / immunology
Infant, Premature, Diseases / virology
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal*
Male
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / diagnosis
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / epidemiology*
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / immunology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / immunology*
Surface-Active Agents*
Time Factors

Substances

Antigens, Viral
Surface-Active Agents