title: Comparison of reverse transcription-PCR with tissue culture and other rapid diagnostic assays for detection of type A influenza virus.
abstract: We applied a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay for influenza A virus to combined nasal wash-throat swab specimens previously obtained from an outpatient pediatric population with acute respiratory illness during concurrent epidemics of influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus. The results of the RT-PCR assay were compared with those previously reported with virus cultivation and commercially available rapid diagnostic kits (E.A. Dominguez, L.H. Taber, and R.B. Couch, J. Clin. Microbiol. 31:2286-2290, 1993). With virus cultivation as the "gold standard", the RT-PCR assay had a sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of 95, 98, and 97%, respectively, compared with 75, 100, and 93%, respectively, for the best diagnostic kit (Becton Dickinson Directigen). RT-PCR is an effective alternative to virus isolation for the detection of influenza A virus in clinical specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. ratmar@fluctr.bcm.tmc.edu
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Atmar
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Taber
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000379:methods*