TABLE 2.

Performance of RT-PCR assays for rapid detection of CoV associated with SARS

Specimens (no.)	No. of specimens tested	Seroconversiona	No. of specimens positive by RT-PCR assay
			WHO-HKU	WHO-Hamburg	Both WHO-HKU and WHO-Hamburg
Clinically suspected SARS
Nasopharygneal aspirate specimens (124)	72	+	44	49	43
	52	−	0	0	0
Throat swab specimens (65)	54	+	35	39	33
	11	−	0	0	0
Urine specimens (95)	78	+	39	42	39
	17	−	0	0	0
Stool specimens (19)	19	+	11	12	11
Controls
Nasopharygneal aspirate specimens	22b	ND	0	0	0
Stool specimens	21c	ND	0	0	0

^aA fourfold rise or more in antibody titer against CoV was considered seroconversion (+). ND, not done.

^bSamples positive for other viral pathogens included nine samples positive for influenza virus A, one sample positive for influenza virus B, six samples positive for adenovirus, and six samples positive for RSV by immunofluorescence (2).

^cNo intestinal pathogens detected.