Finland: Molecular point-of-care testing for rapid diagnosis of common colds occurring in elite athletes

Common cold in Team Finland during 2018 Winter Olympic Games (PyeongChang): epidemiology, diagnosis including molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) and treatment

Maarit Valtonen, Matti Waris, Tytti Vuorinen, Erkki Eerola, Antti J Hakanen, Katja Mjosund, Wilma Grönroos, Olli J Heinonen, Olli Ruuskanen | Research Center for Olympic Sports, Jyväskylä, Finland, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland, Department of Clinical Virology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland, Paavo Nurmi Centre and Unit of Health and Physical Activity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland, Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital Research Centre, Turku, Finland | 2019 | British Journal of Sports Medicine 0:1-7 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-100487

Elite athletes are frequently predisposed to common colds as heavy physical and mental stress on the body can suppress the immune system. Athletes participating in winter sports are placed at a higher risk as these sports typically take place during epidemics of many respiratory viruses. It is important to detect and diagnose the common cold to provide proper treatment, decrease unnecessary antibiotic treatment and enhance timely isolation to decrease viral transmission. The aim of this study was to provide a quick and rapid diagnostic test for the detection of the aetiological agent present in Team Finland during the Winter Olympic Games. During the study, symptoms were recorded daily on a standardized form and two nasal swabs were taken at the onset of symptoms. One swab was analysed within 45 minutes using a rapid molecular point-of-care test (POCT) that consisted of a multiple PCR test for respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A and B viruses. After the games, the other nasal swab was tested for 16 possible causative respiratory viruses using various qPCR assays. Two triplex RT-PCR assays were performed on the Mic Real-Time qPCR Cycler. During the study, 45% of athletes and 32% of staff members reported mostly mild symptoms of the common cold during the games. Eleven (26%) samples tested virus-positive using POCT. These samples were confirmed using laboratory PCR testing and nine different respiratory viruses were identified across 30 of the 42 patients. The POCT diagnostics allowed early effective treatment and prevention of the infection amongst the athletes and staff members.