title: Role of the laboratory in diagnosis of influenza during seasonal epidemics and potential pandemics.
abstract: Laboratory diagnosis of influenza is critical to its treatment and surveillance. With the emergence of novel and highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, the role of the laboratory has been further extended to include isolation and subtyping of the virus to monitor its appearance and facilitate appropriate vaccine development. Recent progress in enhancing testing for influenza promises to both improve the management of patients with influenza and decrease associated health care costs. The present review covers the technological characteristics and utilization features of currently available diagnostic tests, the factors that influence the selection of such tests, and the developments that are essential for pandemic preparedness.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petric
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Comanor
authors.forename: Cathy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Petti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic