Evaluation of Abbott TestPack RSV and an in‐house RSV ELISA for detection of respiratory syncytial virus in respiratory tract aspirates

The Abbott TestPack RSV was compared with an in-house RSV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigen. Nasopharyngeal specimens were obtained from 121 inpatients. RSV antigen was detected in 46 specimens by the Abbott TestPack, 42 of these being confirmed by the in-house RSV ELISA. Of the 75 specimens tested negative in the Abbott TestPack RSV, one was found positive by the in-house RSV ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of the Abbott TestPack RSV versus the RSV ELISA were 98% and 95% respectively.