Clinical performance of a rapid influenza test and comparison of nasal versus throat swabs to detect 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection in Thai children.
We identified febrile pediatric outpatients seeking care for influenza like illness in Bangkok. Two nasal and 1 throat swab were tested using the QuickVue A+B rapid influenza kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Among 142 pandemic influenza A (H1N1)-positive patients, the QuickVue test identified 89 positive tests for a sensitivity of 62.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.7-70.6). Specificity was 99.2% (95% CI: 98-100). In the 0 to 2 years age group, sensitivity was 76.7% (95% CI: 61.5-91.8). Throat and nasal swabs are equally useful diagnostic specimens for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction diagnosis.
Suntarattiwong
Piyarat
P
Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health Department of Medical Service, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand.
Jarman
Richard G
RG
Levy
Jens
J
Baggett
Henry C
HC
Gibbons
Robert V
RV
Chotpitayasunondh
Tawee
T
Simmerman
James M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D009666:Nose / Q000821:virology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic