Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza causes lower respiratory tract disease in young children who commonly re-infect older children and adults to produce upper respiratory disease. Clinical manifestations are generally less severe during re-infections and after 7 years of age parainfluenza infections are usually sub clinical.

HPIV3 appears to be the most efficient of the parainfluenza viruses in its ability to spread from person to person. Virus is shed for a median of 8 days in infected individuals and can persist as long as three to four weeks in re-infected individuals.

Inactivated vaccines have not been shown to prevent parainfluenza infections or disease. The broad spectrum antiviral Ribavirin has shown successful inhibition of virus replication by way of giving relief from symptoms related to parainfluenza infection.

Mammalian cell lines are infected with parainfluenza viruses and we search for characteristic cytopathic changes in the culture.

If you want to know more about our services in this area please click here to contact us.