The start of autumn is currently very noticeable in the northern hemisphere: leaves are changing colour, temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter.
And in line with this, the German Robert-Koch Institute reports a significantly increased activity for acute respiratory infection in Germany, which is higher than usual for this season. The most common pathogens currently circulating include rhinoviruses, SARS-CoV-2, adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses as well as seasonal coronaviruses, with more to come as the cold season progresses. All those pathogens can be detected quickly and reliably using the EUROArray PneuVir.
Respiratory infections caused by viruses occur mainly during the cold season and in waves. They often cause very similar clinical signs and symptoms of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Patients usually present with cold-like symptoms, cough and sore throat, sometimes accompanied by a mild to high fever or even bronchitis or pneumonia. Typical causative viruses in these cases are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, but less common viruses can also cause respiratory infections. Differential diagnostics and differentiation from infections of bacterial origin are useful in order to take appropriate infection control and patient isolation measures and to avoid unnecessary antibiotic administration with the risk of development of resistance.
Individual and modular testing can be used for this purpose, which means that a test for one virus is performed and other pathogens are tested only if the result of the first test is negative. A multiplex test is a faster and more comprehensive option: A single sample is sufficient to determine whether a viral infection is present and which virus is causing it. The EUROArray PneuVir allows PCR-based direct detection of 17 different viruses in one test using a single nasopharyngeal swab. The detection spectrum includes the following pathogens:
| Adenoviruses A–G | Parainfluenza virus 3 |
| Bocaviruses 1–4 | Parainfluenza virus 4 |
| Coronavirus 229E | Influenza virus A |
| Coronavirus NL63 | Influenza virus B |
| Coronavirus HKU1 | Metapneumovirus |
| Coronavirus OC43 | Respiratory syncytial viruses A and B |
| SARS coronavirus 2 | Human enterovirus/rhinovirus |
| Parainfluenza virus 1 | Parechovirus |
| Parainfluenza virus 2 |
From an epidemiological viewpoint, it is important to register which viruses are circulating in the population. Thanks to subtype differentiation, the EUROArray PneuVir provides crucial information for this as well.
It can be processed on automated instruments or manually, making it suitable for small and large laboratories alike. Results are available within approximately 2.5 hours. Their reliability is ensured by fully automated result output and documentation using the EUROArrayScanner and the EUROArrayScan software. Take a look at our overview of all automation options for EUROArray diagnostics.
Get ready for the cold season with our molecular diagnostic portfolio for respiratory infection diagnostics and our comprehensive range of supplementary serological diagnostic tests to provide clarity on respiratory infections.