title: Evaluation of the FluA-Ag rapid assay for detection of influenza A viruses of human, avian, and swine origin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Influenza viruses which cause human disease may include viruses that originate from humans, animals, or animal/human reassortants. This study evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a commercial FluA-Ag rapid assay in detecting influenza A viruses, either common or reassortant strains, to meet the need of influenza A virus early screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  The laboratory accuracy of the rapid assay was evaluated using influenza A virus isolated strains and other related respiratory virus strains. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were assessed using clinical specimens from hospitals, poultry and pig farms. Nucleic acid testing (real-time RT-PCR) was used as the reference method, and all samples with different results detected by the rapid assay and real-time RT-PCR were confirmed by sequencing for full identification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the detection results of real-time RT-PCR, the rapid assay showed high laboratory accuracy with influenza A virus strains and other respiratory virus strains, and it also showed a higher relative diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the rapid assay with clinical samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high accuracy and the higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for influenza A virus detection proved that this rapid assay will be a valuable tool for the quick detection of influenza A virus in the laboratory or on-site locations.
authors.forename: Weixian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Shujuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Xiaomin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Dominic E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Dwyer
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Quanyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xinghuo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000821:virology*
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic