Reliability of two new test kits for rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection

P H Rothbarth; M C Hermus; P Schrijnemakers

doi:10.1128/jcm.29.4.824-826.1991

Reliability of two new test kits for rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infection

J Clin Microbiol. 1991 Apr;29(4):824-6. doi: 10.1128/jcm.29.4.824-826.1991.

Authors

P H Rothbarth¹, M C Hermus, P Schrijnemakers

Affiliation

¹ Department of Virology, University Hospital Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

Two new rapid enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for detecting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Directigen (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems) and TestPack (Abbott Diagnostics) were compared with virus isolation and direct immunofluorescence by using fresh specimens. The sensitivities of both EIAs were low (72 to 73%), but when initial specimens were used, TestPack had a high sensitivity (92%) in contrast to that of Directigen (76%). Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, TestPack can be used for diagnosis of RSV in acute disease.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Culture Techniques
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Humans
Reagent Kits, Diagnostic*
Reproducibility of Results
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / isolation & purification*
Respirovirus Infections / diagnosis*
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

Reagent Kits, Diagnostic