Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

RSVP
60550
RTA
9275
nasopharyngeal aspirates by a commercial enzyme immunoassay. J Clin Microbiol 1986;23:485-488
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Molecular Detection, PCR
Clinical Information: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that infects the
respiratory system and can cause an influenza-like illness. Most otherwise healthy people recover from
RSV infection in 1 to 2 weeks. However, infection can be severe in infants, young children, and older
adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung)
and pneumonia in children under 1 year of age in the United States, and is more frequently being
recognized as an important cause of respiratory illness in older adults. RSV RNA can be detected by PCR
in respiratory secretions, including upper and lower respiratory specimens. Nasopharyngeal swabs or
aspirates are the preferred specimen types for detection of RSV RNA. Nasal swabs have been shown to
provide equivalent yield to nasopharyngeal specimens for molecular detection of influenza A and B RNA,
but not RSV RNA.(1,2) Tracheal aspirates are generally not acceptable for testing due to the viscous
nature of these specimens.
Useful For: Rapid and accurate detection of respiratory syncytial virus
Interpretation: A positive test result indicates that the patient is presumptively infected with
respiratory syncytial virus. The test does not indicate the stage of infection. Laboratory test results should
always be considered in the context of clinical observations and epidemiologic data in making a final
diagnosis.
Reference Values:
Not applicable
Clinical References: 1. Meerhoff TJ, Houben ML, Coenjaerts FE, et al: Detection of multiple
respiratory pathogens during primary respiratory infection: nasal swab versus nasopharyngeal aspirate
using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2010;29:365-371 2. Heikkinen
T, Marttila J, Salmi AA, Ruuskanen O: Nasal swab versus nasopharyngeal aspirate for isolation of
respiratory viruses. J Clin Microbiol 2002;40(11):4337-4339
Reticulin Antibodies, Serum
Clinical Information: Celiac disease (CD) is a genetically inherited autoimmune digestive disease
and tends to occur in families of European descent. Family members of people with CD or dermatitis
herpetiformis are at increased risk of CD. CD is characterized by a permanent intolerance to gluten. When
gluten is ingested, the immune system triggers an isolated inflammatory response in the small intestinal
mucosa. A lifetime gluten-free diet can completely stop the immune response. Once the patient is on a
gluten-free diet, the small intestine begins to repair itself and the antibody levels decline and eventually
disappear. However, reintroduction of gluten-containing products stimulates the immune response again.
A significant reduction in morbidity and mortality occurs when patients adhere to the gluten-fee diet.
Patients with CD produce various autoantibodies, including endomysial (EMA), tissue transglutaminase
(tTG), gliadin, and reticulin antibodies, as part of the immune response. IgA antibodies usually
predominate although patients may also produce IgG autoantibodies. The levels of these antibodies
decline following institution of a gluten-free diet. tTG is the primary autoantigen recognized by EMA
antibodies in patients with CD and is currently considered the most useful first level screening test for
CD. Reticulin antibodies are no longer considered useful in the diagnosis of CD, because they lack the
sensitivity and specificity of the EMA and tTG tests. Serological screening offers a minimally invasive
option for rapid identification of those likely to have CD and to select those who should be subjected to
biopsy. Markedly positive (serologically) individuals are highly likely to have CD and should undergo
biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Useful For: Investigation of celiac disease (CD) Reticulin antibodies are no longer considered useful in
the diagnosis of CD. Mayo Medical Laboratories recommends ordering TTGA/82587 Tissue
Transglutaminase (tTG) Antibody, IgA, Serum or EMA/9360 Endomysial Antibodies (IgA), Serum for
evaluation of patients suspected of CD or dermatitis herpetiformis. See Celiac Disease Algorithm in
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