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Virus Reference and Surveillance Laboratory (VRSL)

Parainfluenza Viruses 1-4 (PIV 1-4)

Clinical Virology Program

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Transmission electron micrograph of parainfluenza virus

Transmission electron micrograph of parainfluenza virus
Courtesy of Dr. Erskine Palmer, CDC

Contact Information

Lab Director:
Kirsten St. George M.App.Sc., Ph.D.
(518) 869-4520

Cell-Based Testing Supervisor:
Kim Rush-Wilson
(518) 869-4559

Molecular Testing Supervisor:
Meghan Fuschino, M.S.
(518) 869-4559

Certification Information

CLIA # 33D0654341
PFI # 1067
WHO Collaborating Laboratory
Disease:
  • Acute respiratory tract disease with slight fever, malaise, cough, and hoarseness.
  • Most common cause of croup, may cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia
  • Four different serotypes (1-4)
Transmission:
  • Close contact with infected person or inhalation of virus-containing aerosols
Vaccination:
  • None to date
Age Association:
  • Children < 5 yrs- lower respiratory tract infection
  • Causes upper respiratory tract infection in infants, children and adults
Geographic Distribution:
  • World wide
Seasonal Distribution:
  • PIV1: Fall
  • PIV2: Fall to early winter
  • PIV3: Spring
  • PIV4: No particular season
Preferred Specimens:
  • Nasopharyngeal swab, wash, or aspirate, oropharyngeal swab, bronchial wash
Collection and Shipping:
Test Methods: Culture:
  • Conventional tube culture
  • Hemadsorbtion Assay
  • Immunofluorescence for detection and typing
  Molecular:
  • real-time RT-PCR assay (in development)
Links of Interest: