PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES AND MYCOPLASMA-PNEUMONIAE IN SPUTUMSAMPLES FROM UNSELECTED ADULT PATIENTS

Sputum samples from adult patients are routinely used for bacteriologi cal tests, but not for the diagnosis of viral/mycoplasmal infections. We examined 511 sputum samples submitted for bacterial tests from pati ents at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Each specimen was tested directly (and after six days of cell culture amplification) for antigens to in fluenza A and B, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3, adenovirus, respiratory syn cytial virus (RSV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Respiratory viruses or M . pneumoniae were found in 11% of all specimens but were most common ( 14%) in sputa reported as containing only ''oral flora''. Respiratory virus or M. pneumoniae infection was significantly more common in medi cal patients (12%) than in surgical patients (5%), and was most common in oncology (hematology/radiotherapy) patients (25%). Influenza A and RSV were equally common in medical patients, while RSV was the most f requent isolate in oncology patients. Respiratory viral infection is a n underdiagnosed condition in adults, particularly the immunocompromis ed, which can be successfully diagnosed by virological examination of sputum.