ANALYSIS OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS IN CLINICAL-SAMPLES BY REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTASE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION RESTRICTION MAPPING

The aim of this study was to develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) genomes. The p rimers were designed from published sequences and selected from conser ved legions of the genome encoding for the N protein of subgroups A an d B of RSV. PCR was applied to 20 specimens from children admitted to the respiratory ward of ''William Soler'' Pediatric Hospital in Havana City with a clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis. The PCR was compared with viral isolation and with an indirect immunofluorescence techniqu e that employs monoclonal antibodies of subgroups A and B. Of 20 nasop haryngeal exudates, 10 were found positive by the three assayed method s. In only two cases, samples that yielded positive RNA-PCR were found negative by indirect immunofluorescence and cell culture. Considering viral isolation as the ''gold standard'' technique, RNA-PCR had 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity. RNA-PCR is a specific and sensitive t echnique for the detection of the RSV genome. Technical advantages are discussed.