Comparison of nasopharyngeal aspirate with flocked swab for PCR-detection of respiratory viruses in children.

Fast- and high-throughput molecular workflows require sample matrices to be suitable for automation. Respiratory swabs are better suited for this purpose compared to the more viscous nasopharyngeal aspirates. Samples collected by nasopharyngeal aspiration and nasopharyngeal flocked swab from 81 children were compared for detection and recovery of respiratory viruses. Using real-time RT-PCR, no statistically significant differences in virus detection between the two sample types were found, supporting the use of flocked swabs in children aged one month to two years.