- "Although the local test shows that he is positive,
we don't want to reach any conclusion yet as we are awaiting results from
Hong Kong," Kandun told Reuters.
-
- Common symptoms of the disease, such as pneumonia, can
have other causes, while local testing has not always squared with results
from the Hong Kong laboratory recognised by the World Health Organisation
(WHO)."
-
- The above comments on test results is only partially
true. Each sample that is PCR positive in Jakarta has also been PCR positive
in Hong Kong. The discrepancy is with the HI test, which can be positive
while the PCR test is negative. These are the samples that are PCR negative
in Hong Kong, but they are also PCR negative in Jakarta.
-
- The discrepancies are really linked to sample collection.
PCR tests of nasal and throat swabs are only positive for limited times.
Samples collect too early, as well as those collected after the H5N1 has
moved to the lungs, will be negative. However serum samples from these
patients will frequently be antibody positive.
-
- The problem is increased by the sample collection procedures
in Indonesia, which rely on collection at the referral hospital. By the
time the patient is transferred, especially for milder cases with a lower
viral load, H5N1 will be cleared from the nose and throat prior to sample
collection.
-
- Collection of samples at the primary facility, as well
as the referral facility, will lessen the chances of false negatives in
nose and throat swabs.
-
- The current protols will easily miss mild cases of H5N1.
-
- webmaster@recombinomics.com
- © 2005 Recombinomics. All rights reserved.
-
- http://www.recombinomics.com/News/10040501/
H5N1_Sample_Collection.html
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