Laboratory Testing
Several different types of laboratory tests are available for diagnosis of RSV infection. Rapid diagnostic assays performed on respiratory specimens are available commercially. Most clinical laboratories currently utilize antigen detection tests, and many supplement antigen testing with cell culture. Compared with culture, the sensitivity of antigen detection tests generally ranges from 80% to 90%. Antigen detection tests and culture are generally reliable in young children but less useful in older children and adults. Because of its thermolability, the sensitivity of RSV isolation in cell culture from respiratory secretions can vary among laboratories. Experienced laboratorians should be consulted for optimal results.
RT-PCR assays are now commercially available for RSV. The sensitivity of these assays often exceeds the sensitivity of virus isolation and antigen detections methods. Use of highly sensitive RT-PCR assays should be considered, particularly when testing older children and adults because they may have low viral loads in their respiratory specimens.
Serologic tests are less frequently used for routine diagnosis. Although useful for seroprevalence and epidemiologic studies, a diagnosis using paired acute- and convalescent-phase sera to demonstrate a significant rise in antibody titer to RSV cannot be made in time to guide patient care.
This symbol means you are leaving the CDC.gov Web site. For more information, please see CDC's Exit Notification and Disclaimer policy.
File Formats: All viewers, players, and plug-ins used on this site can be downloaded from the file formats page. (For example: Adobe Acrobat Reader for pdf files, Windows Media Player for audio and video files, PowerPoint Viewer for presentation slides, etc.)
Copyrighted images: Images on this website which are copyrighted were used with permission of the copyright holder and are not in the public domain. CDC has licensed these images for use in the materials provided on this website, and the materials in the form presented on this website may be used without seeking further permission. Any other use of copyrighted images requires permission from the copyright holder.
- Page last reviewed: January 14, 2010
- Page last updated: January 25, 2010
- Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov