Rapid Tests for Influenza

A variety of antigen-capture assays are commercially available for the detection of influenza. In addition, real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect influenza A and B in clinical specimens. The commercial assays can be completed in less than 30 minutes and have a sensitivity of at least 70% and a specificity of 90%, compared with viral isolation. They are useful not only in the diagnosis and treatment of individual patients with influenza-like illness but also in surveillance for influenza, decreasing the time of nosocomial outbreaks, decreasing the use of laboratory tests, and decreasing antibiotic use in patients with influenza. Some of the rapid antigen assays, and PCR, can detect the H5N1 and H9N1 viruses. Real-time multiplex PCR also detects a variety of respiratory viruses within 6 hours, with only 1 hour of hands-on technician time. The widespread use of the rapid tests for influenza is changing the practice pattern of physicians who care for patients with influenza.