Studies of Acute Respiratory Illnesses Caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus. 1. Laboratory Findings in 109 Cases

Abstract

Laboratory diagnostic findings in 109 cases of respiratory illness caused by the respiratory syncytial virus are presented. The CF and serum neutralization tests were equally sensitive for detecting cases and antibody titers obtained by the 2 methods were roughly the same. The virus isolation procedure was less sensitive giving positive results in 62% of the cases. Clinical illnesses associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection included acute upper respiratory illness, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia and, rarely, croup.