Specimen collection and viral testing
Nasal and throat swabs were collected from hospitalized infants and combined into transport medium (M4RT®, Remel), aliquoted into MagMAXTM Lysis/Binding Solution Concentrate (Life Technologies), snap frozen, and stored at -80°C. Original and lysis buffer aliquots were shipped to VUMC on dry ice and were tested using qRT-PCR assays directed at primers and probes as previously published for the following respiratory viruses: RSV15 , HRV16, HMPV17, influenza A and B18, PIV 1, 2 and 3, adenovirus, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)19.