[Laboratory diagnosis of infantile infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. Report of 9 cases].

Nine cases of respiratory infections caused by syncytial respiratory virus which were diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies are presented here. Six of them have been clinically diagnosed as bronchiolitis and the remaining three are diagnosed as obstructive bronchitis, upper respiratory cold and respiratory distress respectively. Seven are male and two are female. Their ages vary from 13 days to eleven months. Its usefulness is indicated given its speed and the current availability of specific antiviral therapeutics. The test would be especially indicated in atypical cases like nursing babies with apnea or those with congenital heart disease or other underlying lung diseases and also to prevent intrahospital epidemias. The conclusion is reached that direct immunofluorescence seems to be an attractive alternative for laboratories that do not have costly cell culture equipment.