Cruz AT, Cazacu AC, Greer JM, Demmler GJ.. Rapid assays for the diagnosis of influenza A and B viruses in patients evaluated at a large tertiary care children´s hospital during two consecutive winter seasons. J Clin Virol. 2007 Dec 14
BACKGROUND: The rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza facilitates antiviral therapy, judicious antibiotic usage, and cohorting patients to decrease nosocomial infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of rapid influenza tests in a children´s hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Two in vitro rapid immunochromatographic assays that detect and distinguish influenza A and B viruses were compared to the reference standard of viral culture. RESULTS: In 9186 patients tested, overall sensitivity of the rapid assays for influenza A was 64.4% and specificity was 98.3%. Sensitivity and specificity were 28% and 99.9%, respectively, for influenza B. Overall sensitivity and specificity for Remel Xpect (2004/2005) were 47.7% and 98.7% for influenza A, and 20.3% and 99.8% for influenza B, respectively. Overall sensitivity and specificity of Binax NOW Flu A&B (2005/2006) were 78.3% and 98% for influenza A, and 35.9% and 99.9% for influenza B, respectively. The results for influenza B with both assays were significantly lower than previously reported and lower than stated in the manufacturer´s package insert. CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary clinical setting, rapid assays for influenza displayed significantly lower sensitivities, especially for influenza B, than prior reports. Differences in pre- and post-licensure performance demonstrate the importance of continuous evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests for influenza.
See Also:
Latest articles in those days:
- Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Florida 6 hours ago
- Evidence of Reverse Zoonotic Transmission of Human Seasonal Influenza A Virus (H1N1, H3N2) Among Cats 6 hours ago
- Evolution and Antigenic Differentiation of Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus, China 6 hours ago
- Evolution of H7N9 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in the context of vaccination 1 days ago
- Cost-effectiveness of high-dose influenza vaccination in the Netherlands: Incorporating the impact on both respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations 1 days ago
[Go Top] [Close Window]