SARS and Common Viral Infections

Abstract

In California, molecular testing was useful in decreasing suspicion for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), by detecting common respiratory pathogens (influenza A/B, human metapneumovirus, picornavirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia spp., parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus) in 23 (45%) of 51 patients with suspect SARS and 9 (47%) of 19 patients with probable SARS.

Keywords

• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• SARS
• polymerase chain reaction
• molecular testing
• United States