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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2021; 42(06): 747-758
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739306
Review Article

Viral Respiratory Infections: New Tools for a Rapid Diagnosis

Luna Colagrossi
1   Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Giordana Mattana
1   Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Livia Piccioni
1   Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Valeria Cento
2   Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
,
Carlo Federico Perno
1   Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
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Abstract

Respiratory tract infection is one of the most common diseases in human worldwide. Many viruses are implicated in these infections, including emerging viruses, such as the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Identification of the causative viral pathogens of respiratory tract infections is important to select a correct management of patients, choose an appropriate treatment, and avoid unnecessary antibiotics use. Different diagnostic approaches present variable performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and time-to-result, that have to be acknowledged to be able to choose the right diagnostic test at the right time, in the right patient. This review describes currently available rapid diagnostic strategies and syndromic approaches for the detection of viruses commonly responsible for respiratory diseases.

Keywords

laboratory - respiratory - virus - diagnosis


Publication History

Article published online:
16 December 2021

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