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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
[Cost-effectiveness in the detection of influenza H1N1: clinical data versus rapid tests]
Jorge González-Canudas1, Jimena María Iglesias-Chiesa, Yulia Romero-Antonio
1Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, D.F., México.
Objective:
Evaluate the performance of clinical data and the rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) in diagnosing influenza H1N1, and analyze the cost-benefit of using this diagnostic tool.
Methods:
The RIDT was used for patients who came to four hospitals in Mexico City with an influenza-like illness (ILI) in October and November 2009. The diagnostic performance of the ILI clinical data and the RIDT was compared to that of the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test. The rRT-PCR test was conducted in a reference laboratory and blinded to the results of the RIDT. An economic evaluation also was conducted to estimate the budgetary impact of using the RIDT.
Results:
The study included 78 patients, 39 of whom tested positive for influenza H1N1 and 6 tested positive for seasonal influenza A, according to the results of the rRT-PCR. The ILI clinical data yielded a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 21%; the RIDT yielded a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 82%; and the ILI clinical data and RIDT together yielded a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 100%. The positive likelihood quotient for ILI-headaches was 31.5 and that of ILI-odynophagia, 330. The use of RIDT yielded savings of US$12.6 per each suspected case.
Conclusions:
Use of the RIDT to aid in the diagnosis of influenza H1N1 increases certainty and lowers the average cost per suspected and infected patient.
Insights
The rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) aids in diagnosing influenza H1N1, improving diagnostic certainty and reducing costs. Combining clinical data with RIDT offers 100% specificity for influenza H1N1 detection.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Medicine
- Health Economics
Background:
- Influenza H1N1 outbreaks necessitate accurate and timely diagnostic tools.
- Clinical judgment alone has limitations in diagnosing influenza-like illness (ILI).
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) offer a potential solution for faster diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of clinical data and RIDTs for influenza H1N1.
- To analyze the cost-effectiveness of using RIDTs in diagnosing influenza H1N1.
- To compare diagnostic accuracy against real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).
Main Methods:
- Patients with ILI in Mexico City were tested using RIDTs and clinical data.
- Diagnostic performance was compared to rRT-PCR, the reference standard.
- An economic evaluation assessed the budgetary impact of RIDT implementation.
Main Results:
- The combination of ILI clinical data and RIDT achieved 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
- RIDT alone showed 76% sensitivity and 82% specificity.
- Using RIDT resulted in cost savings of US$12.6 per suspected case.
Conclusions:
- RIDTs enhance diagnostic certainty for influenza H1N1.
- The use of RIDTs can lower the average cost per suspected and infected patient.
- Combining clinical assessment with RIDT improves diagnostic accuracy significantly.
