The Paediatric Respiratory Pathogen Report is compiled by the Surveillance Unit at PathWest QE2 Medical Centre.
Respiratory pathogens are detected principally from all patients under the age of 16 admitted to hospital or presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) for all public/private hospitals in Western Australia, for which a respiratory sample was collected and referred to PathWest PCH/QE2.
Virus detections are performed with a range of diagnostic modalities including direct fluorescent antibody testing for respiratory virus antigen on post nasal aspirates (PNA's); rapid respiratory viral cell culture and PCR. Rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) detections are performed by PCR alone.
Paediatric Respiratory Pathogen Reports date back to July 2007. If you would like a copy of an archived report please call 9222 2486.
Public Health