Human Metapneumovirus Detection (Qualitative) by RTPCR

Bacterial/ Viral

Report in 12Hrs

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No Fasting Required

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Detects viral RNA.

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Human Metapneumovirus Detection (Qualitative) by RT-PCR

Why is it done?
- Test Purpose: Detects the presence of Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) genetic material in respiratory specimens using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), a highly sensitive molecular technique that identifies viral RNA
- Primary Indications: Diagnosis of acute respiratory tract infections in patients presenting with symptoms of lower respiratory tract disease, including cough, fever, dyspnea, and bronchiolitis; particularly important in immunocompromised patients, elderly individuals, and young children
- Clinical Scenarios: Suspected community-acquired pneumonia unresponsive to initial antimicrobial therapy; respiratory illness outbreaks in healthcare facilities or long-term care settings; evaluation of immunocompromised patients with respiratory symptoms; during peak respiratory virus seasons (typically fall and winter months)
- Timing: Optimal timing is within 3-5 days of symptom onset when viral load is highest; can be performed as early as day 1 of symptoms; specimens collected during acute phase yield best results
Normal Range
- Normal Result: NEGATIVE or NOT DETECTED - indicates absence of Human Metapneumovirus RNA in the specimen
- Abnormal Result: POSITIVE or DETECTED - indicates presence of Human Metapneumovirus RNA; the test is qualitative, reporting only presence or absence without quantifying viral load
- Units of Measurement: Qualitative (Positive/Negative); this is a binary result with no numerical values or threshold cycles reported in standard qualitative reporting, though some laboratories may report cycle threshold (Ct) values
- Interpretation of Results: Negative result suggests absence of hMPV infection; positive result confirms presence of hMPV and indicates active viral infection requiring clinical correlation with symptoms and clinical presentation
Interpretation
- Positive Result: Indicates active Human Metapneumovirus infection; patient is infected with hMPV and likely experiencing acute respiratory illness; virus is replicating in respiratory tract; supports diagnosis of viral respiratory infection and may guide treatment decisions; positive result in symptomatic patients is clinically significant
- Negative Result: Suggests absence of hMPV infection; does not rule out other viral respiratory pathogens; negative result in early infection (first 1-2 days) may reflect low viral load; clinical symptoms may still warrant testing for other respiratory viruses or evaluation for alternative diagnoses
- Factors Affecting Results: Specimen quality and type (nasopharyngeal swabs provide better sensitivity than throat swabs); timing of collection relative to symptom onset; proper specimen transport and storage; patient age and immunological status; concurrent use of antivirals may affect viral detection; contamination or improper handling can result in false negatives
- Clinical Significance: Positive result helps establish viral etiology of respiratory illness, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use; confirms hMPV as causative agent, differentiating from bacterial infections; important for infection control measures in healthcare settings; helps identify candidates for antiviral therapy; assists in epidemiological surveillance during outbreaks
- Result Patterns: Single positive result in symptomatic patient confirms acute infection; negative result in late-stage illness (>7-10 days) more likely represents true absence of hMPV; persistently negative results in symptomatic patients warrant consideration of alternative diagnoses or repeat testing if clinical suspicion remains high
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System: Respiratory system - specifically affecting the lower respiratory tract including bronchioles, bronchi, and alveoli; virus replicates in respiratory epithelial cells causing mucosal inflammation and damage
- Associated Conditions: Acute bronchiolitis (particularly in infants and young children); community-acquired pneumonia; acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); asthma exacerbation; acute wheezing illness; upper respiratory tract infections; tracheobronchitis
- Diseases Diagnosed or Monitored: Acute viral lower respiratory tract infection caused by hMPV; viral pneumonia; bronchiolitis in children; upper respiratory tract infection with potential for progression to lower respiratory involvement; respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients (HIV/AIDS, post-transplant recipients, patients on immunosuppressive therapy)
- Potential Complications: Severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization; respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation; acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); secondary bacterial superinfection; bronchiectasis development; chronic airway damage; exacerbation of underlying lung disease; myositis and rhabdomyolysis (rare); neurological complications (rare, including encephalitis)
- High-Risk Populations: Infants and young children under 5 years; elderly patients over 65 years; immunocompromised individuals; patients with underlying chronic lung disease; transplant recipients; patients with severe immunosuppression
Follow-up Tests
- Recommended Follow-up Tests if Positive: Multiplex respiratory viral panel (if not initially performed) to exclude coinfections with other respiratory pathogens including influenza, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, rhinovirus, parainfluenza, and adenovirus; chest radiography to assess for pneumonia or other pulmonary complications; complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate for secondary bacterial infection; bacterial culture if secondary bacterial infection is suspected
- Follow-up Tests if Negative with Continued Symptoms: Consider testing for other respiratory viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, adenovirus); repeat hMPV testing if performed very early in illness (first 1-2 days); bacterial culture if secondary infection suspected; imaging studies (chest X-ray or CT) if pneumonia suspected; consider testing for atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae)
- Monitoring Frequency: Repeat testing is not typically recommended in immunocompetent patients recovering normally; repeat testing may be considered in immunocompromised patients with persistent symptoms despite antiviral therapy; monitoring of clinical improvement is primary follow-up mechanism
- Complementary Diagnostic Tests: Multiplex respiratory pathogen panel (detects multiple viruses simultaneously); respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) RT-PCR; influenza RT-PCR or antigen detection; SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR; rhinovirus RT-PCR; parainfluenza RT-PCR; adenovirus RT-PCR; serological testing (antibody detection) for confirmation if needed
- Clinical Monitoring Parameters: Oxygen saturation and respiratory status; fever curve; symptom resolution timeline; progression of cough and constitutional symptoms; need for oxygen supplementation or mechanical ventilation; response to supportive care; development of secondary complications
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: NO - Fasting is not required for this test
- Specimen Collection Requirements: Nasopharyngeal swab (preferred) or oropharyngeal swab collected using sterile swab with appropriate transport medium; patient should avoid eating, drinking, or rinsing mouth for 30 minutes prior to specimen collection to optimize viral recovery; avoid contaminating specimen with saliva when possible
- Medication Considerations: No medications need to be withheld; patients may take all routine medications as prescribed; antiviral medications (ribavirin, oseltamivir) do not need to be discontinued; topical nasal medications should be avoided for 1 hour before specimen collection if possible
- Patient Preparation Instructions: No special preparation required; patient may eat and drink normally; avoid saline nasal rinses, nasal decongestants, or nasal sprays for at least 1 hour before collection; do not gargle or clear throat immediately before specimen collection; inform patient that mild discomfort may occur during nasopharyngeal swab collection; specimen should be collected during acute phase of illness for optimal sensitivity
- Specimen Handling: Place specimen in appropriate transport medium immediately after collection; maintain specimen integrity during transport; refrigerate at 2-8°C if transport is delayed; do not freeze specimens unless instructed; avoid prolonged storage at room temperature; deliver to laboratory promptly (ideally within 24 hours)

How our test process works!