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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), NAA

RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, URI, ILI

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7164

Department

Microbiology

Instructions

• Positive tests during the non-respiratory season (generally May through October) must be confirmed by a second method. Specimens will be sent to MDHHS for confirmation.
• RVP, Flu, RSV, and Covid swabbing should be performed at physician office.
• Please see instructions for Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab Collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab in viral transport medium (UVT, UTM).

• NP swabs should be held in the nasopharynx for 30 seconds and rotated.
• Transport specimen to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Arrange for transport to the Laboratory immediately. Maintain NP Swab in viral transport medium (UVT, UTM), refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) for transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: NP Swab in viral transport medium (UVT, UTM), refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Bloody specimens.
• Specimens submitted on dry swabs.
• Specimens submitted on cotton or calcium alginate swabs, or on wooden shaft swabs.

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimens to the Laboratory immediately after collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 Hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 Days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Dearborn Microbiology Laboratory
Farmington Hills Microbiology Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Microbiology Laboratory 
Lenox Main Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Microbiology Laboratory
Taylor Microbiology Laboratory
Trenton Microbiology Laboratory
Troy Microbiology Laboratory
Wayne Microbiology Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Batch tested once per day.
Routine results available within 24-48 hours.

Reference Range

Negative.

Test Methodology

Nucleic Acid Amplification (FDA Approved).

Interpretation

This assay determines the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a respiratory specimen. Nucleic acid amplification testing is the optimal diagnostic modality for detection of respiratory viruses. The sensitivity of this test is greater than 97% as compared to culture.

Clinical Disease

RSV infection is more prevalent in infants and toddlers and is a leading cause of hospitalization in this age group, but RSV also causes disease that can be severe in certain populations. In infants and young children, RSV disease can range from cold-like illness, bronchitis, or croup, to lower respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In adults, symptomatic infection usually presents as an upper respiratory tract illness with runny nose (rhinorrhea), sore throat (pharyngitis), and cough, with some patients also complaining of headache, fatigue, and fever. High-risk adults, such as those with certain chronic illnesses or immunosuppression, may have more severe disease, such as pneumonia.

Epidemiology

RSV is present yearly, showing up in the early fall and causing morbidity until late spring (1).

Incubation Period

The incubation period is 18-70 hours. Patients are infectious one day before the onset of symptoms and for 3-4 days thereafter. Infants may shed virus for longer periods of time (1).

Transmission

These viruses are very contagious and are transmitted through inhalation of virus-laden aerosols or by autoinoculation after handling fomites contaminated with nasal or throat secretions (1).

Reference

1. Mufson, M.A., 2000. Respiratory Viruses. Clinical Virology Manual, 3rd Edition. S. Specter, R.L. Hodinka, S.A. Young, (eds.), ASM Press. Washington, D.C., pp. 235-251.

CPT Codes

87634
LOINC:  RSV Type A & B 40988-8

Contacts

Last Updated

5/19/2022