Genetic characterization of respiratory syncytial viruses isolated from consecutive acute respiratory infections in a HIV infected child.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) was isolated from a 2-year-old child suffering from perinatally transmitted AIDS in the course of three distinct episodes of respiratory infections. The first episode occurred in the winter of 1994, the following two episodes of cough and fever occurred two and 4 months after the initial episode.

Objective: To analyze the genetic variability of the child's HRSV strains, and with contemporary circulating HRSV isolates.

Evaluation of the QuickLab RSV test, a new rapid lateral-flow immunoassay for detection of respiratory syncytial virus antigen.

Rapid respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnosis is vital to the prevention of nosocomial RSV infections. We evaluated a new rapid lateral-flow RSV immunoassay, the QuickLab RSV test, that requires use of only one reagent. We compared QuickLab to the Directigen RSV (DIR) assay, which requires six reagents, and direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testing.