Abstract:
The CDC tested nearly half of the 66 probable SARS cases in the United States. Only seven people - about 22% - had the antibody, not surprising to health officials, because many probable SARS patients may actually have a different respiratory illness.
Full Text:
Copyright 2003, Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA via NewsRx.com &NewsRx.net
2003 JUN 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- U.S. health officials say they are confident about the accuracy of the main antibody test being used to screen people for SARS.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered the test to more than 500 people - some suspected of having SARS, some known not to be infected - and said no one who did not have the disease tested positive for it.
"It's a good test," said Dr. Larry Anderson, a CDC virus expert. "I think it's going to help a lot on understanding SARS."
Anderson said it is possible that the tests could show false- negatives - that is, people infected with the virus could test negative - but he said such cases would probably be infrequent.
The test identifies an antibody to the coronavirus believed to cause SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome.
Scientists still need to develop a test that can detect infection earlier, Anderson said. Sometimes the antibody test does not detect the virus until 4-6 weeks after a person shows symptoms.
A test that can detect the virus soon after infection would enable health authorities to avoid having to quarantine large numbers of people suspected of having the disease.
The CDC tested nearly half of the 66 probable SARS cases in the United States. Only seven people - about 22% - had the antibody, not surprising to health officials, because many probable SARS patients may actually have a different respiratory illness.
Of the probable cases, 59% were adults, 20% senior citizens and 12% children. The cases were nearly evenly divided between whites and Asians, and 65% had been hospitalized, the CDC said.
This article was prepared by Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA editors from staff and other reports.
