JEM Reports (Jun 2024)
Respiratory virus panel testing in pediatric emergency medicine: An institutional experience from 2019 to 2022
Abstract
Background: Acute respiratory illness remains a worldwide leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study was undertaken to identify trends in Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) use and diagnostic results from 2019 to 2022. Methods: The institutional Medical Laboratory created a database that included all RVP test results. The database included month and year of test, RVP test results, subject age, and sex. Results: Utilization of RVP testing markedly expanded from 2019, with a mean utilization of 2 tests per quarter, to 2022, with a mean utilization of 1071 tests per quarter. Diagnostic results varied over time. The incidence of multiple pathogens per test increased from 2019 to 2022, although the percentage of tests with multiple pathogens did not differ significantly. The incidence of specific virus results varied by time. Adenovirus, COVID-19, Influenza A, Metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, and RSV were found more commonly in 2021 and 2022 compared to 2019 and 2020. Conclusions: Utilization of RVP testing markedly expanded from 2019. Adenovirus, COVID-19, Influenza A, Metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, and RSV were found more commonly in 2021 and 2022 compared to 2019 and 2020.
