Synonyms

NPA, RSV, Respiratory Virus Detection

Test Includes

Detection of Respiratory Syncitial Virus antigen by rapid immunochromatographic assay
If this test is negative a fluorescent antibody test (FAT) for detection of antigens of Influenza  A & B viruses; Parainfluenza  1, 2 and 3 viruses; Adenovirus  and Respiratory Syncitial Virus will be performed.  Sample volume permitting, those sample giving a positive FAT will be sent to a Reference Laboratory for confirmation/further tests

Request Form 

Microbiology form (Green)

Availability

On request up to 22:00

Outside normal working hours, the on-call Microbiologist MUST be contacted via the hospital switchboard to request that this test be performed 

Specific Criteria

Please give detailed clinical information, including date of onset/contact with the suspected infection

Turnaround Time

Rapid antigen detection test: up to 3 hours
FAT: next normal working day
Reference Laboratory tests: results will usually be available approximately 14 days after the date of the in-house FAT

Specimen

Naso-pharyngeal aspirate

Container

If possible please aspirate the sample using a suction catheter with a blue or green syringe fitting, or an "NPA collection pot", rather than a Mallinckrodt suction catheter, as this will aid faster processing in the laboratory
Send complete tubing in a white capped universal container

Lab. Handling

Process immediately

Causes for Rejection

Unlabelled sample
Insufficient sample
Delay in sample reaching laboratory