Analytical sensitivity of rapid influenza antigen detection tests for swine-origin influenza virus (H1N1).
BACKGROUND
A novel swine origin influenza virus (S-OIV) (H1N1) is spreading worldwide and threatens to become pandemic.


OBJECTIVE
Determine analytical sensitivity of selected commercially available rapid influenza antigen detection tests in detecting S-OIV H1N1.


METHODS
Serial dilutions of two S-OIV isolates, one seasonal influenza A (H1N1) isolate and a nasopharyngeal aspirate from a patient with S-OIV disease were tested in five commercially available influenza antigen detection tests and by virus isolation in cell culture. Viral M gene copy number was determined by quantitative PCR methods.


RESULTS
The analytical sensitivity of the five influenza antigen detection tests for S-OIV (tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID(50)) log(10)3.3-4.7 was comparable with that of seasonal influenza (TCID(50) log(10)4.0-4.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The analytical sensitivity of the selected influenza A antigen detection tests for detection of S-IOV was comparable with that of seasonal influenza H1N1.
Chan
K H
KH
Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
Lai
S T
ST
Poon
L L M
LL
Guan
Y
Y
Yuen
K Y
KY
Peiris
J S M
JS
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic