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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
A novel screening method for influenza patients using a newly developed non-contact screening system
Takemi Matsui1, Yukiya Hakozaki, Satoshi Suzuki
1Department of Management Systems Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Asahigaoka 6-6, Hino, Tokyo 191-0065, Japan. tmatsui@cc.tmit.ac.jp
Objectives:
In places of mass gathering, rapid infection screening prior to definite diagnosis is vital during the epidemic season of a novel influenza. In order to assess the possibility of clinical application of a newly developed non-contact infection screening system, we conducted screening for influenza patients.
Materials And Methods:
The system is operated by a screening program via a linear discriminant analysis using non-contact derived variables, i.e., palmar pulse derived from a laser Doppler blood-flow meter, respiration rate determined by a 10-GHz microwave radar, and average facial temperature measured by thermography. The system was tested on 57 seasonal influenza (2008-2009) patients (35.7 degrees C < or = body temperature < or = 38.3 degrees C, 19-40 years) and 35 normal control subjects (35.5 degrees C < or = body temperature < or = 36.9 degrees C, 21-35 years) at the Japan Self-defense Forces Central Hospital.
Results:
A significant linear discriminant function (p < 0.001) was determined to distinguish the influenza group from the control group (Mahalanobis D-square = 6.5, classification error rate > 10%). The system had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 93%, which is higher than the PPV value (PPV < or = 65.4%) reported in the recent summary of studies using only thermography performed mainly in hospitals.
Conclusions:
The proposed system appears promising for application in accurate screening for influenza patients at places of mass gathering.
