Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Aetiology of febrile pharyngitis in children: Potential of myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) as a biomarker of viral infection
List of Authors: Ivaska L, Niemela J, Lempainen J, Osterback R, Waris M, Vuorinen T, Hytonen J, Rantakokko-Jalava K, Peltola V
Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Journal of Infection
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF INFECTION
Journal acronym: J INFECTION
Volume number: 74
Issue number: 4
Start page: 385
End page: 392
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0163-4453
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2017.01.002
Abstract
Objectives: Besides group A streptococcus (GAS), microbial causes of pharyngitis in children are not well known. We aimed to document the viral and bacterial aetiology of pharyngitis and to assess the pathogenic role of viruses by determining the myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) in the blood as a marker of interferon response.Methods: In this prospective observational study, throat swabs and blood samples were collected from children (age 1-16 years) presenting to the emergency department with febrile pharyngitis. Microbial cause was sought by bacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction, and serology. Blood MxA level was determined.Results: A potential pathogen was detected in 88% of 83 patients: GAS alone in 10%, GAS and viruses in 13%, group C or G streptococci alone in 2% and together with viruses in 3%, and viruses alone in 59% of cases. Enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses were the most frequently detected viruses. Blood MxA levels were higher in children with viral (880 [245-1250] mu g/L; median [IQR]) or concomitant GAS-viral (340 [150-710] mu g/L) than in those with sole GAS (105 [80-160] mu g/L) infections.Conclusions: Detection of respiratory viruses simultaneously with elevated blood MxA levels supports the causative role of viruses in the majority of children with pharyngitis. (C) 2017 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Objectives: Besides group A streptococcus (GAS), microbial causes of pharyngitis in children are not well known. We aimed to document the viral and bacterial aetiology of pharyngitis and to assess the pathogenic role of viruses by determining the myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) in the blood as a marker of interferon response.Methods: In this prospective observational study, throat swabs and blood samples were collected from children (age 1-16 years) presenting to the emergency department with febrile pharyngitis. Microbial cause was sought by bacterial culture, polymerase chain reaction, and serology. Blood MxA level was determined.Results: A potential pathogen was detected in 88% of 83 patients: GAS alone in 10%, GAS and viruses in 13%, group C or G streptococci alone in 2% and together with viruses in 3%, and viruses alone in 59% of cases. Enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, and adenoviruses were the most frequently detected viruses. Blood MxA levels were higher in children with viral (880 [245-1250] mu g/L; median [IQR]) or concomitant GAS-viral (340 [150-710] mu g/L) than in those with sole GAS (105 [80-160] mu g/L) infections.Conclusions: Detection of respiratory viruses simultaneously with elevated blood MxA levels supports the causative role of viruses in the majority of children with pharyngitis. (C) 2017 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.