Immunochromatography test for rapid diagnosis of adenovirus respiratory tract infections: comparison with virus isolation in tissue culture.

The sensitivity and the specificity of a new commercial rapid 10-min adenovirus antigen immunochromatography (IC) test were determined by comparison with the sensitivity and specificity of virus isolation. Of 169 pharyngeal swabs from children with suspected adenovirus respiratory tract infections, 95 (56%) were culture positive for adenovirus. The IC test was sensitive (detecting 69 of these 95 infections [72.6%]) and completely specific (identifying 74 of 74 specimens [100%]) when it was compared with cell culture. The test detected adenovirus serotypes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 with almost equal sensitivities. This test is not only rapid and easy to perform but also sensitive and specific for adenovirus respiratory tract infections. The test is sufficiently rapid to be used at the bedside or in an outpatient clinic, with the result being available during a patient's first examination.