To meet the needs of elderly patients, who exhibit lower viral loads of RSV, Aculabs now offers a molecular assay. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to impact infants; however, elderly patients in long-term care facilities are also prone to RSV infection. Immunocompromised adults are very susceptible to severe RSV pneumonia, as well.
Test code #777M can be used to order RESP. SYNCYTIAL VIRUS NAA, an RSV test separate from a larger panel.
| Test Code | Test Name | Price | CPT Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| #777M | RESP. SYNCYTIAL VIRUS NAA | $70.20 | 87634 |
| Collection Method: | Please note that Aculabs recommends facilities utilize the universal viral transport media, visually identified by the red liquid at the bottom when collecting specimens for RSV, COVID-19, or Influenza respiratory testing. The universal viral transport media allows for a patient to be swabbed just once, as the same specimen can be used for RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19 testing when these tests are ordered together in some capacity and collected with the transport media. Please check all expiration dates to avoid recollection. |
| Aculabs does not accept the bactiswab as an appropriate collection media for such respiratory testing. |
A difficulty for long-term care facilities is accurately diagnosing RSV infection based on signs and symptoms alone because symptoms of RSV are nonspecific and can overlap with other viral respiratory infections, as well as some bacterial infections.
The most commonly used types of RSV clinical laboratory tests are:
- Molecular testing: which is more sensitive than culture and antigen testing
- Antigen testing, which is highly sensitive in children but not sensitive in adults
- Less commonly used tests include:
- Viral culture
- Serology, which is usually only used for research and surveillance studies
Aculabs believes that healthcare providers should use highly sensitive molecular assays when testing geriatric patients for RSV. The sensitivity of these assays often exceeds the sensitivity of virus isolation and antigen detection methods. Antigen tests are not sensitive for older adults because they often have lower viral loads in their respiratory specimens.
Click here to go to our Online Web Portal and begin ordering test #777M.
BACKGROUND INFO ON RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS (RSV):
RSV is a very common virus infection that often resembles the common cold with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, and low-grade fever. However, symptoms indicative of more severe RSV infections may include difficulty or rapid breathing, wheezing, irritability and restlessness, and poor appetite.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a prevalent cause of respiratory tract infection, especially in young children. RSV is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses. There are two types of RSV, type A, and B; there are also many strains. RSV has an RNA genome that encodes 10 viral proteins.
The virus has a lipid envelope containing viral glycoproteins involved in the entry of the virus into cells and the fusion of the viral envelope with cell membranes. Much of the pathology caused by RSV is related to damage to the lining of the small airways of the respiratory tract