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[Clinical evaluation of rapid diagnostic kit detecting separately influenza A and B viruses]
M Yamazaki1, K Kimura, K Mitamura
1Department of Pediatrics, Hatano Red Cross Hospital.
Insights
The Directigen Flu A + B kit offers rapid and accurate diagnosis for influenza A and B viruses. This diagnostic tool demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity, aiding in timely treatment decisions for flu-like illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Diagnostic Medicine
- Public Health
Context:
- Influenza virus infections pose a significant public health burden.
- Rapid and accurate diagnostic tools are crucial for effective patient management and outbreak control.
- Evaluating novel diagnostic kits is essential for improving clinical practice.
Purpose:
- To assess the diagnostic performance of the Directigen Flu A + B kit for influenza virus A and B.
- To compare the kit's sensitivity and specificity against viral isolation and other diagnostic methods.
- To determine the clinical utility of the Directigen Flu A + B kit in identifying influenza infections.
Summary:
- The Directigen Flu A + B kit was evaluated using 239 nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with flu-like symptoms.
- For influenza A, the kit showed 89.8% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity compared to viral isolation.
- For influenza B, sensitivity was 88.9% and specificity was 88.1%, with 91.7% agreement with FLU OIA.
Impact:
- The Directigen Flu A + B kit provides rapid diagnosis of influenza A and B, comparable to conventional methods.
- Its ability to differentiate between influenza A and B aids in targeted antiviral treatment selection.
- This kit represents an effective tool for the timely diagnosis of influenza in clinical settings.
Abstract:
The Directigen Flu A + B kit, a rapid diagnostic device for influenza virus A and B was evaluated. The nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from 239 patients who visited our hospital, between January and March, 2000, presenting flu-like symptoms. Influenza virus AH1: 77 and AH3: 51 were isolated from 128 specimens and none from 111 specimens. Directigen Flu A + B showed 115 specimens positive and 106 specimens negative. The sensitivity and specificity of this kit were 89.8% (115/128) and 95.5% (106/111) compared with viral isolation. Agreement on positive and negative interpretations between Direction Flu A and this kit was 97.9% (234/239). In the evaluation of this kit for influenza B virus, 60 frozen nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from February to April, 1999 were used. The sensitivity and specificity of this kit were 88.9% (16/18) and 88.1% (37/42) compared with viral isolation. Agreement on positive and negative interpretations between FLU OIA and this kit was 91.7% (55/60). The Directigen A + B demonstrated sensitivity and specificity equivalent to the conventional kits in nasopharingeal aspirates. This kit can also differentiate influenza A and B viruses, a feature which is useful for treatment using anti-viral agents such as amantadine and neuraminidase inhibitor. To date, the kit is the most effective tool for the rapid diagnosis of influenza.
