Screening for Mimivirus in Pneumonia Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Dare Ryan K., Chittaganpitch Malinee, Erdman Dean D.
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus a common respiratory pathogen in pneumonia patients?
Conclusion
The study found no evidence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus in 496 respiratory specimens from pneumonia patients, suggesting it is not a common cause of respiratory disease.
Supporting Evidence
- No APM DNA was detected in any of the 496 specimens tested.
- The study used newly developed real-time PCR assays for detection.
- Previous studies reported serologic evidence of APM infection in a small percentage of pneumonia patients.
Takeaway
The researchers looked for a virus called mimivirus in patients with pneumonia but didn't find any, which means it's probably not a common cause of their illness.
Methodology
Real-time PCR assays were developed and used to screen 496 respiratory specimens from pneumonia patients for APM.
Limitations
The study may not represent populations at highest risk for APM infection, and most specimens were from the upper respiratory tract.
Participant Demographics
Included hospitalized pneumonia patients from various epidemiologic settings in Thailand and the USA.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website