title: Comparison of HEp-2 cell culture and Abbott respiratory syncytial virus enzyme immunoassay.
abstract: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in children. Rapid identification of RSV infections would allow for specific chemotherapy. We evaluated a means of rapid diagnosis, the Abbott enzyme immunoassay (EIA), by using 314 stored nasopharyngeal aspirates. RSV antigens were identified in 62 of 66 RSV culture-positive specimens. An additional 37 specimens from which RSV was not isolated were positive in the EIA. Of these, 29 were confirmed as truly positive by a blocking assay, for a total of 95 (66 + 29) positive specimens. The sensitivity of the EIA for total positive samples was 96% (91/95) versus 69% (66/95) for cell culture. The specificity of the EIA was 96% (211/219). In these stored specimens, Abbott EIA was superior to cell culture for the detection of RSV.
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral