eRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) are extensively used in clinical laboratories. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of RADTs for diagnosis of RSV infection and to determine factors associated with accuracy estimates. We searched EMBASE and PubMed for diagnostic-accuracy studies of commercialized RSV RADTs. Studies reporting sensitivity and specificity data compared to a reference standard (reverse transcriptase PCR [RT-PCR], immunofluorescence, or viral culture) were considered. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, diagnostic-accuracy estimates, and study quality. Accuracy estimates were pooled using bivariate random-effects regression models. Heterogeneity was investigated with prespecified subgroup analyses. Seventy-one articles met inclusion criteria. Overall, RSV RADT pooled sensitivity and specificity were 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 76% to 83%) and 97% (95% CI, 96% to 98%), respectively. Positive-and negative-likelihood ratios were 25.5 (95% CI, 18.3 to 35.5) and 0.21 (95% CI, 0.18 to 0.24), respectively. Sensitivity was higher in children (81% [95% CI, 78%, 84%]) than in adults (29% [95% CI, 11% to 48%]). Because of this disparity, further subgroup analyses were restricted to pediatric data (63 studies). Test sensitivity was poorest using RT-PCR as a reference standard and highest using immunofluorescence (74% versus 88%; P < 0.001). Industry-sponsored studies reported significantly higher sensitivity (87% versus 78%; P ؍
0.01). Our results suggest that the poor sensitivity of RSV RADTs in adults may preclude their use in this population. Furthermore, industry-sponsored studies and those that did not use RT-PCR as a reference standard likely overestimated test sensitivity.A cute respiratory infection (ARI) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in infants and children (1-3). RSV also produces substantial morbidity and mortality among the elderly and adults with underlying medical conditions (4, 5).Accurate and prompt diagnosis of RSV ARI can have important benefits for patient care. Because concurrent serious bacterial infection with RSV is uncommon, especially in children (6), a timely diagnosis of RSV ARI should diminish unnecessary antibiotic use (7)(8)(9). It may also minimize ancillary testing (10), decrease hospital stay durations (11), and permit prompt implementation of cohort assignment for the purpose of limiting nosocomial transmission within hospitals and long-term-care facilities (13)(14)(15)(16)57). Laboratory testing of respiratory secretions is required for confirmation of RSV infection because its seasonality and nonspecific clinical manifestations may overlap those of other viral and bacterial causes of ARI (17,18).There are currently four RSV diagnostic modalities in clinical use. Viral culture was long considered the gold standard for RSV diagnosis, but it has a turnaround time of 3 to 7 day...