Abstract
A rapid fluorescent antibody technique (FA) for the detection of respiratory virus antigens in exfoliated cells from nasopharyngeal aspirates was compared with the conventional method of virus isolation in tissue culture. Over an 18-month period 645 specimens were examined for respiratory syncytial (RS) virus, para-influenza 1, 2 and 3 viruses, adenovirus and influenza A virus. Virus isolates were made from 358 specimens of which 335 were also positive by FA (co-positivity of 94%). The co-positivity of individual viruses varied from 97% for RS virus to 84% for adenovirus. An additional 40 specimens were positive by FA but not by isolation. During the survey period a small measles epidemic occurred and measles antiserum was included in cases of rash or possible prodromal measles. A co-positivity of 95% was achieved with measles isolation and FA. It is concluded that the FA test is valuable in the diagnosis of respiratory virus infection.
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