hPIV is associated with upper respiratory tract infection in children less than 5 years of age. In general hPIV infections are mild and self-limiting but may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children and adults. hPIV infections are encountered worldwide throughout the year.
Parainfluenza Virus RNA
Parainfluenza Virus RNA
Human parainfluenza viruses (hPIV) are RNA viruses and are a common cause of upper or lower respiratory illnesses in children and adults.
There are four main human serotypes of hPIV: hPIV-1, hPIV-2, hPIV-3, and hPIV-4. hPIV-1 and hPIV-2 are most often associated with laryngotracheitis/croup in children. hPIV-3 is most often associated with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. hPIV-4 may cause mild to severe respiratory tract infections.
Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, and cough but may also present with croup, which typically presents with a barking cough, hoarsness and stridor; bronchitis; bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Patients may occasionally experience sore throats, sneezing, ear pain, decreased appetite and rarely extrapulmonary manifestations may occur.
hPIVs spread via direct contact with infectious respiratory droplets or by airborne spread. The incubation period is generally 2-7 days.
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Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) placed in up to 3 mL of viral transport media, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum (collected in a sterile universal container).
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Tests/Assays
The test for Parainfluenza Virus offered by Enfer Medical is carried out by real-time multiplexed PCR, as part of an extended respiratory panel. This test is CE-IVD certified.
Viruses | Bacteria |
Adenovirus | Bordetella parapertussis |
Coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43) | Bordetella pertussis |
SARS-CoV-2 | Chlamydia pneumoniae |
Human Metapneumovirus | Mycoplasma pneumoniae |
Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus | |
Influenza A (H1, H3, H1-2009) | |
Influenza B | |
Parainfluenza Virus (PIV-1, PIV-2, PIV-3, PIV-4) | |
Respiratory Syncytial Virus |
Patient
Request Form
For clients using the Enfer Medical Client Portal, the Enfer Medical Patient Request Form (PRF) will be generated when you have completed your “Test Request” within the portal linked below.
Please note that samples suspected of containing high risk pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be clearly identified on the form and packed separately from other samples.
Results are available next working day.
This assay is available seven days a week.
Packaging
The packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory are required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. HSE guidance can be reviewed HERE.
There are specific packaging instructions and labelling requirements requiring triple packaging including:
- Primary leak-proof container – tube or vial containing the sample.
- Secondary watertight container, with absorbent material, intended to protect the primary container.
- Outer container protects the secondary container.
- Patient Request forms must be placed between the secondary container and the outer shipping container.
Further information on the packaging/preparation of samples for delivery to the laboratory is contained within the Enfer Medical Laboratory User Manual which clients are provided with.
Storage & Stability
Samples must be tested within 4 hours of collection if stored at room temperature. Samples must be tested within 3 days of collection if stored at 2-8°C.
Samples
In addition to the packaging of samples, the transport/delivery of clinical samples to the laboratory is required to be in adherence to all national regulations for the safe transport of biological materials. Enfer Medical provides a fully compliant logistics service, aligned with clients’ testing requirements.
Prompt transport of specimens:
To ensure prompt testing of samples and release of results within the published test turnaround times, samples should arrive to the laboratory by 18:00. Test turnaround time is measured from receipt of the sample at the laboratory until the time the authorised results are reported to users.
of Samples
In rare cases specimens may not be suitable for testing on arrival to the laboratory. In that case the sample will be rejected at the receipt stage and the service user will be notified immediately and an explanation as to why the sample could not be processed will be provided. Reasons why samples cannot be processed include but are not limited to:
- Samples received beyond the stability limits and/or not at the correct temperature indicated for each test.
- Incorrect sample type received.
- Leaking samples, sample not received or sample insufficient for analysis as stated below within sample requirements.
- Non-compliant samples or request forms i.e. those missing sample date information, missing sample test request and/or missing sample site/type information.
- Samples received without the necessary patient identifiers.
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- NOT DETECTED
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Accessing
Your Results
Following receipt at the Laboratory, results should be available on the next working day and will be reported to the referring clinician via the Enfer Medical Client Portal or in a format agreed with clients.
Established clients can login to the portal using the link above.