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Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
Rapid antigen tests for diagnosis of pandemic (Swine) influenza A/H1N1
Shawn Vasoo1, Jane Stevens, Kamaljit Singh
1Department of Medicine, Rush University Medicial Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract:
We found that the sensitivities of 3 rapid influenza antigen tests for pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus were low to moderate: BD Directigen EZ Flu A+B test (Becton Dickinson), 46.7%; BinaxNOW Influenza A&B (Inverness Medical), 38.3%; and QuickVue Influenza A+B Test (Quidel), 53.3%. A patient with influenza-like illness who has a negative rapid antigen test result should undergo further testing using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Insights
Rapid antigen tests for pandemic influenza A/H1N1 showed low to moderate sensitivity. Patients with flu-like symptoms and negative rapid tests require further reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction testing.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- Pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus poses a significant public health threat.
- Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools are crucial for timely patient management and disease control.
- The diagnostic performance of available rapid antigen tests for this specific strain needed evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity of three commercially available rapid influenza antigen tests for the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of BD Directigen EZ Flu A+B, BinaxNOW Influenza A&B, and QuickVue Influenza A+B Test.
Main Methods:
- Sensitivity testing of three rapid influenza antigen tests.
- Utilized samples from patients with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus infection.
- Calculated sensitivity percentages for each test.
Main Results:
- BD Directigen EZ Flu A+B test sensitivity: 46.7%.
- BinaxNOW Influenza A&B test sensitivity: 38.3%.
- QuickVue Influenza A+B Test sensitivity: 53.3%.
Conclusions:
- The evaluated rapid antigen tests demonstrate low to moderate sensitivity for pandemic influenza A/H1N1.
- Negative results from these rapid tests should be confirmed with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients with influenza-like illness.
- RT-PCR is recommended for definitive diagnosis when rapid antigen test results are negative.
