[Immunoassay rapid test for influenza diagnosis in institutions for elderly people: a four-year surveillance with the GROG Géronto-Alsace].
OBJECTIVE
Outbreaks of acute respiratory infections (ARI) are common in institutions for elderly people. The objective of our study was the assessment of immunoassay rapid test used for influenza diagnosis in institutions for elderly people.


METHODS
Prospective surveillance for ARI was conducted in 11 institutions in Alsace over a four-year period. Clinical case definitions are used to identify the infected residents. For the identification of influenza virus, nasopharyngeal swabs are obtained and rapid tests (immunoassay) are performed.


RESULTS
Influenza virus was identified with immunoassay rapid test. Then, prophylaxis according to the Conseil supérieur d'hygiène publique de France guidelines was implemented. Nevertheless, the use of the rapid test was not frequent in the individual institution and the information recorded at the GROG Géronto-Alsace level could be use to inform the institutions when it is important to perform these rapid tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Ours findings show the value of the rapid test used in the influenza surveillance and how the networks could help to improve their uses.
Equipe inter-établissement d'hygiène hospitalière et de gestion des risques, coordination GROG Géronto-Alsace, centre hospitalier, 24, rue du 4(e) RSM, 68250 Rouffach, France. ph.gaspard@ch-rouffach.fr
P
P
Gaspard
A
A
Mosnier
J-M
JM
Cohen
D
D
Gunther
C
C
Roth
E
E
Eschbach
F
F
Stoll-Keller
S
S
Gayet
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008297:Male; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
Tests rapides de surveillance (TRS) de la grippe en établissements accueillant des personnes âgées: évaluation de quatre années d'utilisation dans le cadre du réseau GROG Géronto-Alsace.