Home Self-Collection of Nasal Swabs for Diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Virus Infections in Children With Cystic Fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding the importance of respiratory viruses in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been limited because of challenges using clinic- or hospital-based diagnostic testing. We conducted a pilot study to assess feasibility of home self- (or parent-) collection of nasal swabs (NS).

Methods

Cystic fibrosis patients aged 6-18 years with new respiratory illness participated. In clinic, a deep nasal flocked swab was collected by research staff and compared with an anterior foam NS obtained after instillation of saline spray. At home, up to 2 self-collections of paired foam NS (with and without saline) were collected and mailed for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Results

Paired swabs were collected from 28 patients: 18 sets in clinic (de

SUBMITTER: Emerson J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3869469 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature