3M launches new Rapid Detection Respiratory Syncytial Virus Test

Expanding its platform of rapid diagnostic testing, 3M today announced the introduction of the 3M™ Rapid Detection RSV Test. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages and is a common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia in children under one year.

The Rapid Detection RSV Test is designed to detect the presence of RSV F-protein antigens in nasopharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, or nasal wash/aspirate specimens. The test can detect the presence of RSV in 15 minutes or less using the 3M™ Rapid Detection Reader, manufactured by Response Biomedical, which is also used with the 3M™ Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test introduced in 2008. The Rapid Detection Reader is fully automated, which can help prevent misinterpretation of results.

“RSV, like influenza, can be a serious respiratory illness that, if not properly diagnosed and treated, could have consequences for a very vulnerable population,” said Brian Anderson, Global Marketing Manager. “The Rapid Detection RSV Test helps clinicians quickly and reliably detect infections, which in turn, guides treatment decisions. Because it’s used on the same instrument platform as the Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test, clinicians will also have the ability to test for both viruses using just one specimen, making it more convenient for patients.”

A clinical study conducted by the North Shore-LIJ Health System (NS-LIJHS) Laboratories evaluated the 3M Rapid Detection RSV Test and compared its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values to the leading hospital rapid antigen test brand and two conventional methods of diagnosing RSV, R-Mix culture and direct fluorescent antibody staining (DFA). A total of 338 samples were taken from nasal washings and nasopharyngeal swabs. Results showed that for all ages, the 3M Rapid Detection RSV Test demonstrated greater sensitivity for the detection of RSV (86%) compared to the leading brand (59%) and R-Mix culture (65%); like the other tests, it was less sensitive than DFA. In children under six, the 3M Rapid Detection RSV Test was even more sensitive (89%) than R-Mix (64%) and the leading brand (61%).

“The results show that the 3M Rapid Detection RSV Test demonstrated greater sensitivity than the BinaxNOW® brand in detecting RSV in the test population,” said Christine Ginocchio, Ph.D., M. T. (ASCP), Senior Director of Microbiology, Virology and Molecular Diagnostics, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, North Shore–LIJ Health System. “We further concluded that the Rapid Detection Reader provides laboratorians with objective results that do not require further interpretation while providing data management capabilities, which helps busy hospital laboratories enhance productivity.”