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Updated: May 20, 2026
Rapid Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B
Published on: January 30, 2017
Rapid test for influenza in diagnostics
Teresa Jackowska1, Monika Grzelczyk-Wielgorska, Katarzyna Pawlik
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center of Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland. tjackowska@cmkp.edu.pl
Insights
During the 2009/2010 season in Poland, rapid influenza diagnostic tests identified A/H1N1v in children. These tests proved valuable for clinical diagnosis when vaccines were unavailable.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- No specific vaccines for influenza A/H1N1 were available in Poland during the 2009/2010 epidemic season.
- Influenza surveillance and diagnosis are critical during epidemic periods, especially for novel strains.
Observation:
- During November-December 2009, 17 children with suspected influenza were tested.
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (QuickVue Influenza A + B) detected influenza type A in 24% of these children.
- Seven children were hospitalized, and six were confirmed positive for A/H1N1v by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Findings:
- The initial clinical presentation of influenza A/H1N1v was unspecific in the observed pediatric cases.
- Rapid influenza testing demonstrated high utility in diagnosing influenza A/H1N1v.
- RT-PCR confirmed the presence of A/H1N1v RNA in hospitalized children.
Implications:
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests are crucial tools for timely clinical management, particularly in the absence of specific vaccines.
- Early and accurate diagnosis aids in appropriate patient care and potentially limits disease spread.
- This study highlights the importance of diagnostic capabilities for emerging influenza strains in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
In Poland no vaccines against influenza type A/H1N1 were available in the epidemic season 2009/2010. In our Department within 45 days (November-December 2009) 17 influenza suspected children (24%) were positive for influenza type A (QiuckVue Influenza A + B rapid tests). Of these 17 children, seven were hospitalized at the pediatric department. In six of them the presence of the A/H1N1v virus RNA was confirmed with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, Polymerase Chain Reaction). The initial presentation of influenza was unspecific. The possibility of performing the rapid test for influenza in the epidemic season proved to be very useful in the clinical diagnostics and management.
