Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of emergency rooms visits and hospitalisations for acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. RSV can also become a serious problem in the elderly, adults with heart and lung diseases, or anyone with a very weak immune system (immunocompromised). RSV is one of the main causes of nosocomial infection due to its high infectivity, the virus potential to be spread over extensive periods, and its ability to survive for hours on environmental surfaces.
Adenovirus is a virus with double-stranded DNA, non-enveloped, belonging to the Adenoviridae family. Up to 55 different serotypes have been identified, of which types 3, 4, 7, and 14 are more commonly associated with respiratory infection.
Adenovirus infection symptoms are similar to those from a common cold. These can include nasal congestion, a sore throat (pharyngitis), eyelid mucous membrane inflammation (conjunctivitis), lung airway infection (bronchitis), pneumonia, diarrhoea, fever, a strong cough. Infections are normally mild except in immunosuppressed patients where it may be life threatening. The virus is transmitted from person to person even via secretions that are released through coughing and sneezing or on hands and face. There is an incubation period from 2 to 14 days prior the appearance of symptoms. In contrast with other respiratory viruses such as Influenza or Respiratory Syncytial Virus it is not seasonal, but is detected throughout the year, especially in winter, spring and early summer.
The RSV-RespirAdeno chromatographic immunoassay is a rapid test for the qualitative and differential detection of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the Adenovirus in nasopharyngeal swabs, washes and aspirates.
A positive signal in either test bands provides a good indication that should draw the attention of the clinician to the possible presence of a RSV and/or respiratory Adenovirus infection.
