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 HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dominguez, E A Articles by Couch, R B Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dominguez, E A Articles by Couch, R B

Comparison of rapid diagnostic techniques for respiratory syncytial and influenza A virus respiratory infections in young children.

Department of Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.

ABSTRACT

We performed virus isolation tests for respiratory viruses on combined nasal wash-throat swab specimens collected from infants and children with acute respiratory illnesses presenting to a hospital clinic during a 3-month period of concurrent epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus (Flu A) infections. Virus isolation results were used to assess the utility of commercially available rapid diagnostic kits for these two viruses. The kits employed direct immunofluorescence (IF) of cells (Imagen for RSV and Flu A), indirect IF of cells (Baxter Bartels Microscan), and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Becton Dickinson Directigen for RSV and Flu A and Abbott TestPack for RSV). All testing was completed on 81 specimens from 80 subjects. Of the 81 specimens, 53 (65%) yielded a virus: RSV, 28%; Flu A, 25%; rhinovirus, 6%; and enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and adenovirus, 2 to 4% each. Among the tests, Bartels Microscan and Directigen Flu-A exhibited the highest sensitivities (87 and 75%) and efficiencies (94 and 94%) for RSV and Flu A, respectively. All the tests exhibited high specificity. Thus, optimal detection of RSV and Flu A among infants and children who presented to a hospital clinic required two different detection methods (IF and enzyme immunoassay) and kits from two different companies (Baxter [Bartels Microscan] and Becton Dickinson [Directigen]).

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Mehlmann, M., Bonner, A. B., Williams, J. V., Dankbar, D. M., Moore, C. L., Kuchta, R. D., Podsiad, A. B., Tamerius, J. D., Dawson, E. D., Rowlen, K. L. (2007). Comparison of the MChip to Viral Culture, Reverse Transcription-PCR, and the QuickVue Influenza A+B Test for Rapid Diagnosis of Influenza. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 1234-1237 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Goodrich, J. S., Miller, M. B. (2007). Comparison of Cepheid's Analyte-Specific Reagents with BD Directigen for Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 604-606 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kho, N., Kerrigan, J. F., Tong, T., Browne, R., Knilans, J. (2004). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection and Neurologic Abnormalities: Retrospective Cohort Study. J Child Neurol 19: 859-864 [Abstract]  
• Ohm-Smith, M. J., Nassos, P. S., Haller, B. L. (2004). Evaluation of the Binax NOW, BD Directigen, and BD Directigen EZ Assays for Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42: 2996-2999 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ruest, A., Michaud, S., Deslandes, S., Frost, E. H. (2003). Comparison of the Directigen Flu A+B Test, the QuickVue Influenza Test, and Clinical Case Definition to Viral Culture and Reverse Transcription-PCR for Rapid Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection. J. Clin. Microbiol. 41: 3487-3493 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Newton, D. W., Mellen, C. F., Baxter, B. D., Atmar, R. L., Menegus, M. A. (2002). Practical and Sensitive Screening Strategy for Detection of Influenza Virus. J. Clin. Microbiol. 40: 4353-4356 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Quach, C., Newby, D., Daoust, G., Rubin, E., McDonald, J. (2002). QuickVue Influenza Test for Rapid Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses in a Pediatric Population. CVI 9: 925-926 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Dayan, P., Ahmad, F., Urtecho, J., Novick, M., Dixon, P., Levine, D., Miller, S. (2002). Test Characteristics of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay in Febrile Infants?60 Days of Age. CLIN PEDIATR 41: 415-418 [Abstract]  
• Lipson, S. M., Liolios, L., Wesselingh, S. (2002). Rapid Laboratory Diagnostics during the Winter Respiratory Virus Season. J. Clin. Microbiol. 40: 733-734 [Full Text]  
• Abels, S., Nadal, D., Stroehle, A., Bossart, W. (2001). Reliable Detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Children for Adequate Hospital Infection Control Management. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39: 3135-3139 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kehl, S. C., Henrickson, K. J., Hua, W., Fan, J. (2001). Evaluation of the Hexaplex Assay for Detection of Respiratory Viruses in Children. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39: 1696-1701 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Boivin, G., Hardy, I., Kress, A. (2001). Evaluation of a Rapid Optical Immunoassay for Influenza Viruses (FLU OIA Test) in Comparison with Cell Culture and Reverse Transcription-PCR. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39: 730-732 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Noyola, D. E., Clark, B., O'Donnell, F. T., Atmar, R. L., Greer, J., Demmler, G. J. (2000). Comparison of a New Neuraminidase Detection Assay with an Enzyme Immunoassay, Immunofluorescence, and Culture for Rapid Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses in Nasal Wash Specimens. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 1161-1165 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Doing, K. M., Jerkofsky, M. A., Dow, E. G., Jellison, J. A. (1998). Use of Fluorescent-Antibody Staining of Cytocentrifuge-Prepared Smears in Combination with Cell Culture for Direct Detection of Respiratory Viruses. J. Clin. Microbiol. 36: 2112-2114 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Powers, C. N. (1998). Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: a Cytopathologist's Perspective. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. 11: 341-365 [Abstract] [Full Text]