A comparison of Binax NOW to viral culture and direct fluorescent assay testing for respiratory syncytial virus.
The Binax NOW immunochromatographic assay for respiratory syncytial virus was prospectively compared with direct fluorescent assay and viral culture at Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah during February 2003. Three hundred ten patient specimens were collected for testing, of which 102 specimens were positive for respiratory syncytial virus by the reference tests, direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA), and culture or molecular analysis. DFA analysis identified an additional 40 patient specimens positive for other respiratory viruses. Compared to the reference tests, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of respiratory syncytial virus were 89.2%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 94.9%, respectively. This rapid assay format proved to be cost-effective and simple to use in comparison to DFA and viral culture. Negative rapid test results should still be confirmed with a secondary test.
ARUP Laboratories, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Wade K
WK
Aldous
Kris
K
Gerber
Edward W
EW
Taggart
Joshua
J
Thomas
David
D
Tidwell
Judy A
JA
Daly
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002845:Chromatography; D005260:Female; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014776:Virus Cultivation
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic