What is the role of rapid molecular testing for seniors and other at-risk adults with respiratory syncytial virus infections?

Lower respiratory tract infections are a leading cause of hospitalization and viruses are important causal pathogens, especially in the elderly, immunocompromised patients and those with respiratory or cardiovascular comorbidities. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recognized as comprising a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality in older and at-risk adults, and the emergence of rapid point-of-care molecular testing has made it possible to confirm an RSV diagnosis accurately, in a clinically actionable timeframe. RSV patients have significantly higher healthcare resource use (including hospital stays and emergency room/urgent care visits) than non-RSV matched controls, especially if aged ≥65 years, a longer length of hospitalization than those with influenza, and associated costs nearly three times higher. We found no direct clinical outcome data specific to rapid molecular testing for RSV in adults and very little in children. There is very limited evidence that prompt diagnosis may reduce hospital length of stay but this and other outcome parameters need confirmation in larger, prospective clinical trials. Regarding reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, the picture is mixed and testing alone is unlikely to change entrenched habits. There is little incentive for clinicians to order routine RSV tests in adults given the absence of a specific antiviral therapy. However, with numerous vaccine and antiviral candidates in clinical development, we believe it is good practice to plan and start establishing standardized testing protocols – perhaps as part of outcome studies. For especially vulnerable patients, e.g., immunocompromised and transplant patients, prompt accurate RSV diagnosis may prevent disease spread and save lives.