Evaluation of a commercial enzyme immunomembrane filter assay for detection of respiratory syncytial virus in clinical specimens.
A commercial enzyme immunomembrane filter assay (EIFA) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was compared prospectively with isolation in cell culture and an enzyme immunoassay. A total of 595 respiratory specimens, mostly from pediatric patients, were examined. The EIFA was 70.96% sensitive and 72.40% specific in comparison with cell culture. Results for 40 specimens (6.72%) were uninterpretable, mainly due to filtration difficulties. Twenty-one (25%) of 84 specimens whose results were initially considered false-positive were subsequently confirmed positive after a blocking test with bovine anti-RSV serum. On the basis of the total number of confirmed positive results, the sensitivity and the specificity of the test were 87.90% and 75.77%, respectively.
Van Beers
D
D
Department of Virology, Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
De Foor
M
M
Di Cesare
L
L
Vandenvelde
C
C
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity