title: [Evaluation of flow-through immunoassay for rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses].
abstract: We evaluated a flow-through immunoassay for rapid detection of influenza A and B viral antigens, RapidTesta FLU AB (Daiichi Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), by using 507 specimens collected from patients with influenza-like symptoms during the 2002/2003 influenza season in Japan. The specimens consisted of 239 nasal swabs and 268 nasal aspirates; 374 specimens were collected from pediatric patients (under 16 years of age) and 133 from adult patients. RapidTesta FLU AB was compared with cell culture and nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell culture detected influenza virus from 66.7% of the 507 specimens (influenza AH3: 44.0%, B: 22.7%). For nasal swabs, it had a sensitivity of 81.9% (77/94), a specificity of 97.9% (142/145) and an efficiency of 91.6% (219/239) for influenza A virus as well as a sensitivity of 80.0% (52/65), a specificity of 98.3% (171/174) and an efficiency of 93.3% (223/239) for influenza B. For nasal aspirates, RapidTesta FLU AB had a sensitivity of 83.2% (109/131), a specificity of 98.5% (135/137) and an efficiency of 91.0% (244/268) for influenza A as well as a sensitivity of 82.7% (43/52), a specificity of 97.7% (211/216) and an efficiency of 94.8% (254/268) for influenza B. RapidTesta FLU AB is characterized by high specificity, low false positive rate, and 10-minute detection of influenza virus. These advantages suggest that RapidTesta FLU AB is a useful kit to assist physicians in making a diagnosis of influenza on candidates for antiviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Zama Children's Clinic.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitamura
authors.forename: Masataka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Komiyama
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Sumi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Mitsunobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Yoshinao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral