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J Infect Dis. 2018 Jan 2. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix685. [Epub ahead of print]
Asymptomatic summertime shedding of respiratory viruses.
Shaman J1,2, Morita H1, Birger R1, Boyle M1, Comito D1, Lane B1, Ligon C1, Smith H1, Desalle R2, Planet P2,3.
Author information
Abstract
To determine rates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection among ambulatory adults, we collected nasopharyngeal swabs, demographics, and survey information from 1477 adult visitors to a New York City tourist attraction during April-July 2016. Multiplex PCR was used to identify specimens positive for common respiratory viruses. 7.2% of samples tested positive; 71.0% of positive samples detected rhinovirus and 21.5% detected coronavirus. Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza were also detected. Depending on symptomatologic definition, 57.7-93.3% of positive samples were asymptomatic. These findings indicate that significant levels of asymptomatic respiratory viral shedding exist during summer among the ambulatory adult population.
KEYWORDS:
asymptomatic infection; common cold questionnaire; definition of symptomatic infection; respiratory viruses; viral shedding
PMID: 29300926 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix685
Asymptomatic summertime shedding of respiratory viruses.
Shaman J1,2, Morita H1, Birger R1, Boyle M1, Comito D1, Lane B1, Ligon C1, Smith H1, Desalle R2, Planet P2,3.
Author information
Abstract
To determine rates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection among ambulatory adults, we collected nasopharyngeal swabs, demographics, and survey information from 1477 adult visitors to a New York City tourist attraction during April-July 2016. Multiplex PCR was used to identify specimens positive for common respiratory viruses. 7.2% of samples tested positive; 71.0% of positive samples detected rhinovirus and 21.5% detected coronavirus. Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza were also detected. Depending on symptomatologic definition, 57.7-93.3% of positive samples were asymptomatic. These findings indicate that significant levels of asymptomatic respiratory viral shedding exist during summer among the ambulatory adult population.
KEYWORDS:
asymptomatic infection; common cold questionnaire; definition of symptomatic infection; respiratory viruses; viral shedding
PMID: 29300926 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix685