This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jalowayski, A A Articles by Connor, J D Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Jalowayski, A A Articles by Connor, J D

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Clin Microbiol. 1990 April; 28(4): 738-741

Rapid detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasopharyngeal specimens obtained with the rhinoprobe scraper.

Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego.

ABSTRACT

We compared the Rhinoprobe scraping technique for collection of superficial nasal mucosa epithelial cells and rapid detection of respiratory syncytial virus by immunofluorescence with paired, swab-collected specimens for virus culture from 1,257 infants and children with acute respiratory infections. Compared with viral culture as the reference test, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the immunofluorescence test were 83.6, 93.6, and 91.3%, respectively. We found the Rhinoprobe method safe, easy to use, and helpful in obtaining large quantities of epithelial cells for detection of respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses.