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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
[Comparison of four rapid diagnostic kits using immunochromatography to detect influenza B viruses]
Michimaru Hara1, Shinichi Takao, Shinji Fukuda
1Hara Pediatric Clinic, Hiroshima Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science.
Insights
ESPLINE demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing influenza A and B viruses in children. Other rapid influenza diagnostic kits showed lower sensitivity for influenza B and required improvement.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Technologies
Background:
- Rapid influenza diagnostic tests are crucial for timely clinical decisions.
- Immunochromatography-based kits offer rapid influenza A and B type differentiation.
- Evaluating the real-world performance of these diagnostic tools is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic performance of four rapid influenza diagnostic kits.
- To assess sensitivity and specificity for influenza A (AH3) and influenza B virus detection in children.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 278 children with suspected influenza.
- Utilized nasopharyngeal aspirates for virus isolation and rapid diagnostic testing.
- Four kits evaluated: ESPLINE, POCTEM, Quick Vue, and Capilia.
Main Results:
- ESPLINE showed the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) for influenza A (AH3).
- For influenza B, ESPLINE had 89% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
- Quick Vue and Capilia exhibited lower specificity for influenza B, indicating a need for improvement.
Conclusions:
- ESPLINE (Fujirebio) is the most effective among the tested kits for rapid influenza diagnosis in children.
- All kits demonstrated lower sensitivity for influenza B compared to influenza A.
- Further development is needed for Quick Vue and Capilia to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Abstract:
We compared the usefulness of 4 rapid influenza diagnostic 1-device kits using immunochromatography, which facilitate type differentiation, i.e. ESPLINE Influenza A&B-N (Fujirebio Corp., Japan: ESPLINE), POCTEM INFLUENZA A/B (Sysmex Corp., Japan: POCTEM), Quick Vue Rapid SP influ (Quidel Corp., U.S.A.: Quick Vue), and Capilia Flu A + B (TAUNS Corp., Japan: Capilia), in 278 children in whom influenza infection was suspected in 2004 and 2005. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were diluted for virus isolation and residual samples were centrifuged. Using the supernatant, we conducted rapid diagnosis testing. Influenza virus AH3 was isolated from 40 children, and influenza B virus from 163. Of the 40 children, the sensitivity and specificity of ESPLINE, POCTEM, Quick Vue, and Capilia were 100%/100%, 95%/100%, 98%/96%, and 98%/96%. In the 163 children, the sensitivity and specificity were 89%/100%, 87%/100%, 88%/97%, and 86%/98%. ESPLINE showed the highest sensitivity and specificity to influenza viruses AH3 and B. All kits were less sensitive to influenza B virus than to influenza A virus, however. The specificity of Quick Vue and Capilia was low; so these kits must be improved.
