TABLE 4.
Sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR by group
| Group (no. of illnesses evaluated) | Sensitivity (%) | Specificity (%) | No. of days of symptoms prior to evaluation (RSV illnesses only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young adults (252) | 63 | 100 | 2.4 ± 1.3 (n = 19) |
| Healthy elderly adults (248) | 90 | 99 | 2.7 ± 1.3 (n = 23) |
| High-risk adults (169) | 76 | 99 | 3.9 ± 3.0 (n = 23) |
| Nursing home residents (52) | 60 | 100 | 2.4 ± 1.5 (n = 5) |
| Hospitalized patients (393) | 69 | 99 | 7.7 ± 7.3 (n = 43) |
| Combined outpatientsa | 77 | 99 | 3.0 ± 2.1 (n = 95) |
| Hospitalized patientsb | 69 | 99 | 7.5 ± 7.3 (n = 43) |
a
Includes young adults, healthy elderly adults, and high-risk adults.
b
Does not include nursing home residents.