Positivity rate of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using multiplex PCR test in Indonesia

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is highly prevalent as a cause of acute respiratory tract infection. Detection of RSV using nucleic acid amplification tests provides rapid results that can help physicians manage patients with acute respiratory symptoms and avoid unnecessary antibiotics. This study aimed to report the positivity rate of RSV among patients with acute respiratory symptoms.

Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from primary healthcare facilities and hospital outpatient clinics from January 2023 to June 2024. The specimens were processed using the multiplex QIAStat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel (QIAGEN GmbH, Hilden, Germany).

A total of 1339 tests were performed and RSV was positive in 10.3% of tested patients (138/1339). Regarding the monthly positivity rate, the highest rate of RSV positivity was in November 2023, followed by January 2023, and March 2023.

This study shows a moderate RSV positivity rate in outpatient settings and suggests a seasonal trend, with higher circulation during the rainy season. These findings highlight the value of RSV surveillance for guiding clinical and public health responses in tropical regions.