Bronchiolitis laboratory tests
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alonso Alvarado, M.D. [2]
Overview
Bronchiolitis diagnosis depends mainly on the symptoms and physical examination as the laboratory diagnosis is not specific for the disease. The lab tests include viral pathogen tests which are commonly used like ELISA, immunofluorescent assays and optical immunoassays. Complete blood count also is not specific for the bronchiolitis. Pulmonary function tests may be helpful in supporting the diagnosis and excluding other obstructive lung diseases.
Laboratory Findings
Evidence has not shown benefit in the use of laboratory tests for the diagnosis of bronchiolitis or for the assessment of severity. Diagnosis of bronchiolitis and of the severe forms of the disease should be made based on clinical findings and risk factors.
- Specific viral testing has not shown benefits as there won't be any changes in the management nor the prognosis of the disease if the specific pathogen is determined. However, some institutions use specific RSV tests to prevent nosocomial spread of the disease.[1]
- Specific viral pathogen tests are available. Specific antigen based tests are more commonly used:[2]
- ELISA
- Direct immunofluorescent assays
- Indirect immunofluorescent assays
- Optical immunoassays
- Tests are available for the following viruses:
- The complete blood counts (CBC) vary in each child and have not shown benefits for the diagnosis of bronchiolitis.[2]
- Pulmonary function tests are used to confirm the diagnosis of bronchiolitis and to exclude other pulmonary abnormalities. It shows irreversible obstructive lung changes and increase in the residual volume and functional residual capacity.[3]
References
- ↑ Bordley WC, Viswanathan M, King VJ, Sutton SF, Jackman AM, Sterling L; et al. (2004). "Diagnosis and testing in bronchiolitis: a systematic review". Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 158 (2): 119–26. doi:10.1001/archpedi.158.2.119. PMID 14757603.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mandell, Gerald L.; Bennett, John E. (John Eugene); Dolin, Raphael. (2010). Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's principles and practice of infectious disease. Philadelphia, PA: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.
- ↑ Ghanei M, Tazelaar HD, Chilosi M, Harandi AA, Peyman M, Akbari HM; et al. (2008). "An international collaborative pathologic study of surgical lung biopsies from mustard gas-exposed patients". Respir Med. 102 (6): 825–30. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2008.01.016. PMID 18339530.