Eurofins Biomnis code

VRSBM

Clinic significance

Respiratory syncitial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infections of the upper respiratory tract and, more rarely, the lower respiratory tract. This virus circulates throughout the year, with a winter epidemic peak. It is transmitted directly through the air and indirectly by contact with soiled objects or hands. Clinical symptoms depend on age and associated risk factors. In immunocompetent adults, RSV infection is asymptomatic or causes rhinitis combined with a dry cough and fever. The infection can be more serious in infants, the elderly, immunocompromised people and chronic respiratory patients, causing bronchiolitis or pneumonitis. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in infants. Diagnosis can be made by detecting viral antigens in respiratory secretions, but this is negative if the viral load is low. Testing for the RSV genome using PCR is more sensitive and is recommended, especially in case of lower respiratory infection, where the viral load is often lower.

Prenalytics

• Nasopharynx, bronchial aspirations, BAL
• Refrigerated

Further information

• Also available in multiplex PCR (VIRBM) which includes detection of RSV, HMPV and rhinoviruses.
• The use of the S14UK transport bag is Mandatory.
• Samples (other than swabs) must be sent as they are, in sterile bottles, without transport medium.
• Swab samples require the use of a transport medium (viral) supplied in kit K1.

Specific equipment available

K1: Virus screening kit by culture or PCR

Documents to download

• information note (N23-INTGB)

Methodology

Real-time PCR

Turnaround time

2 days