Evaluation of an enzyme membrane immunoassay (Directigen RSV) for the rapid diagnosis of respiratory syncytial virus infections

A rapid enzyme immunoassay (EIA) membrane test, the Directigen respiratory syncytial virus (Becton Dickinson), was compared with cell culture, an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) test, the Monofluokit respiratory syncytial virus (Diagnostics Pasteur), and a conventional enzyme immunoassay antigen test, the Abbott respiratory syncytial virus enzyme immunoassay in nasal aspirates specimens from children with suspected respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. The sensibility and specificity of the Directigen, respiratory syncytial virus were 91% and 98% respectively, as compared with those of culture, and of 93% and 86% as compared with the Monofluokit respiratory syncytial virus. In the comparison of the two enzyme immunoassays, Directigen respiratory syncytial virus detected more positive specimens: 68/127 than the other: 46/127. Directigen respiratory syncytial virus is a very rapid test, (15-min), sensitive and specific, which can be used as an alternative technique for detection of respiratory syncytial virus in nasal samples when viral isolation or immunofluorescence direct are not available.