Assuming that seroprevalence indicates level of exposure to Bartonella henselae, these results suggest that this infection is endemic in Chile and, for this reason, the best antibody titer to diagnose acute cat-scratch disease should be higher than the figure recommended by the Centers for Disease Control in the in United States.

Introduction: Viral respiratory infections (VRI) are a frequent cause of morbidity among adult population. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) produces 20% of VRI, however diagnosis is limited for a low sensitivity of conventional (FDA and ELISA) tests. Aim: To assess the impact of real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR) technique in RSV diagnosis in adult hospitalized patients; to characterize RSV infection among these patients. Patients and Methods: All adults hospitalized in Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica during 8 weeks of winter season, with clinical picture of VRI, and with negative DFA for influenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and adenovirus were included. Real time RT-PCR was performed from nasopharyngeal sample. Clinical information, general laboratory exams and chest X ray reports were collected. Results: Out of 114 patients with negative DFA, 17 (14.9%) Debe decir: RSV cases were demonstrated using real time RT-PCR. Fever, pharyngeal congestion, cough and bronchial obstruction were present in 80% of patients. Thirty percent of them had a baseline chronic disease and 47% were immunocompromised. One out of 17 patients (6%) required mechanical ventilation. No mortality was observed. Conclusions: Use of RT-PCR allowed increasing detection of RSV infection over 100% among adults with VRI without virological diagnosis with conventional techniques. It is necessary to consider RSV RT-PCR test among patients with clinical picture of VRI during RSV season, with negative virological screening tests.

Human metapneumovirus was detected in 15 of 123 children (12%) younger than 3 years of age hospitalized for treatment of acute respiratory infection between July and November 2004. The virus was detected by RT-PCR directly from nasopharyngeal swabs and/or from supernatants after cell culture. Children infected with hMPV were mostly younger than one year of age (67%), all presenting with fever and cough. The main cause for hospitalization was the need for oxygen therapy (73%). Four hMPV positive children had an identifiable co-morbid condition but had a similar clinical evolution when compared to previously healthy infants. Chest radiography showed an increase in interstitial infiltrates with focal consolidation in 6 children. Obstructive bronchial syndrome and bronchiolitis, with or without pneumonia, were the most frequent diagnosis associated with hMPV positivity. A rapid and sensitive diagnostic method is required to improve diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

Objective: To assess the performance of multiplex-PCR for diagnosis of respiratory viruses in parallel with direct fluorescence assay (DFA). We assessed the performance and co-infection diagnosis of molecular respiratory panel PCR (MRP-PCR

Background: Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly discovered parvovirus found in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Objectives: To describe the epidemiological and clinical profi le of children < 5 years old consulting for ARTI, comparing cases of HBoV monoinfection and coinfection with other known respiratory viruses. Furthermore, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of viral shedding in asymptomatic children and perform phylogenetic analysis. Patients and Methods: We investigated the presence of HBoV in nasopharyngeal secretions from children consulting for ARTI and among asymptomatic controls, between 2007 and 2008, by polymerase chain reaction. Results: HBoV was detected in 79 (21.8%) of 362 nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from children with ARTI. In 60/79 (76%), coinfection with other respiratory viruses was confi rmed. Most common symptoms were cough, fever and rhinorrhea. Children infected only with HBoV showed signifi cantly lower frequencies of respiratory distress, oxygen requirements and hospital admission than those with coinfection. HBoV was detected in 6/16 (37.5%) samples from asymptomatic children. The phylogenetic analysis of viruses from Chilean patients revealed that circulating HBoV was closely related to original strains. Conclusions: HBoV was found either in symptomatic and asymptomatic children. The severity of the disease was greater when HBoV was associated to other respiratory viruses.