Immunochromatography test for rapid diagnosis of adenovirus respiratory tract infections: Comparison with virus isolation in tissue culture

The sensitivity and the specificity of a new commercial rapid 10-min adenov irus antigen immunochromatography (IC) test were determined by comparison w ith the sensitivity and specificity of virus isolation. Of 169 pharyngeal s wabs from children with suspected adenovirus respiratory tract infections, 95 (56%) were culture positive for adenovirus. The IC test was sensitive (d etecting 69 of these 95 infections [72.6%]) and completely specific (identi fying 74 of 74 specimens [100%]) when it was compared with cell culture. Th e test detected adenovirus serotypes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 with almost equal se nsitivities. This test is not only rapid and easy to perform but also sensi tive and specific for adenovirus respiratory tract infections. The test is sufficiently rapid to be used at the bedside or in an outpatient clinic, wi th the result being available during a patient's first examination.