Evaluation of an optical immunoassay for the rapid detection of influenza A and B viral antigens.
An optical immunoassay for the rapid detection of influenza types A and B viral antigens, FLU OIA (Biostar, USA), was prospectively compared with antigen detection methods and cell culture on 400 respiratory specimens during an influenza outbreak that occurred in Switzerland in 1998/1999. The FLU OIA had an overall sensitivity of 64.4% (95%CI, 56.3-71.7%) and a specificity of 94.9% (95%CI, 89.8-97.7%). Using specimens from pediatric and adolescent patients, the sensitivity obtained (71.8%; 95%CI, 61.7-80%) was different than that achieved with specimens from adult patients (51.4%; 95%CI, 36.5-65%) (P=0.004). The results show that rapid diagnostic tests with higher sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza virus are needed.
Schultze
D
D
Department of Virology, Institute for Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, St. Gallen, Switzerland. detlev.schultze@gd-ikmi.sg.ch
Thomas
Y
Y
Wunderli
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000956:Antigens, Viral