Evaluation of a point-of-care influenza antigen test for the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in cats.
Quick diagnosis of H5N1 infection in cats is important because of the zoonotic and pandemic potential of this virus. Human rapid influenza antigen tests are also sold commercially to veterinarians for use in cats. The point-of-care test actim(trade mark) Influenza A&B (Medix Biochemica, Kauniainen, Finland) was evaluated for the diagnosis of H5N1 infection in cats. The test showed a very low sensitivity and did not detect virus in samples of experimentally infected cats, so that its application cannot be recommended for the diagnosis of H5N1 infection in cats.
Marschall
J
J
Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Schulz
B
B
Hartmann
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002415:Cats; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011634:Public Health; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity