The Journal of hospital infection
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Cohorting bronchiolitis patients infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and/or influenza viruses is paramount in preventing cross-infection of these viruses in hospital. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was compared with immunofluorescence (IF) for the detection of RSV subtypes A and B in children with suspected bronchiolitis. Co-infection with influenza A(H3N2), Chlamydia spp. and picornavirus/rhinovirus was also investigated using molecular techniques. ⋯ Nested PCR proved useful in detecting RSV and influenza A(H3N2) infections missed by IF, and also other respiratory tract pathogens not routinely investigated. The clinical implications and risk of cross-infection with potentially virulent viruses due to inaccurate results from insensitive techniques, highlights the need for molecular assays such as nPCR to be employed as a routine method of investigation, provided as part of the laboratory service. Cohorting of patients with clinical bronchiolitis should continue, whilst awaiting laboratory confirmation.