[A novel test for diagnosis of influenza].
OBJECTIVE
To set up a novel, simple, sensitive, specific, repeatable and rapid assay for diagnosis of influenza.


METHODS
Monolayers of MDCK cells were inoculated with the specimens for amplifying viral yield, the feature of receptors on cell surface was changed by treatment of neuraminidases of influenza A and B viruses. Afterward, based on the lectin binds to receptors on cell surface with strict specificity,the phenomenon of red blood cell aggregation was observed under the conventional microscope. Finally, the tested results could be determined by the extent of red blood cell aggregation.


RESULTS
There was a complete (%) consistency rate (100%) for viral isolation between new and routine tests. In general, the results were detected with new assay within 20 h. The sensitivity of new assay was over 100-10,000 times higher than that of routine method. Meanwhile, the novel test could not only be used for rapid diagnosis in the clinic, but also be used for influenza surveillance. The best concentration of red blood cells was 1 in the detection assay. The testing result was not effected by red blood cells taken from either different red blood cell type of human or different individual of guinea pigs.


CONCLUSIONS
The novel method has several advantages: simple, high sensitivity and specificity, accurate and suitable for multiple purposes.
Guo
Yuanji
Y
National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China.
Wen
Leying
L
Wang
Min
M
Zhang
Ye
Y
Guo
Junfeng
J
Li
Zi
Z
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004903:Erythrocyte Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000032:analysis*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D009439:Neuraminidase