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Updated: Jul 3, 2025

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus RSV Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: January 26, 2019
Rapid testing for respiratory syncytial virus in a resource-limited paediatric intensive care setting
Howard Newman1,2,3, Donald Tshabalala4,5, Sikhumbuzo Mabunda6,7
1National Health Laboratory Service, Virology, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Abstract:
We analysed the performance characteristics of the respiratory syncytial virus lateral flow rapid antigen assay in use when compared to a multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of respiratory viruses. The study was conducted at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 01 January 2017 to 31 December 2018. We found the clinical sensitivity (36.8%) of the rapid test to be too low for routine diagnostic use. Knowledge of assay performance characteristics of rapid tests are important for appropriate interpretation of rapid test results.
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