title: Lab-in-a-tube: Real-time molecular point-of-care diagnostics for influenza A and B using the cobas® Liat® system.
abstract: Rapid diagnosis of influenza A and B is important for direct treatment decisions in patient care and for the reduction of in-hospital transmissions. The new real-time PCR based molecular point-of-care (POC) assay, the cobas®Influenza A/B test on the cobas®Liat®System (cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay), generated a PCR result in less than 20 min, was evaluated for the detection of influenza A and B. One hundred twenty-one retrospectively collected respiratory specimens, previously analyzed with a routine influenza A/B test (Diagenode) were tested using the cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay. The cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay allows influenza A and B testing by RT-PCR within 20 min. This assay detected influenza A in 51 of 56 samples positive by the Diagenode test. The five discrepant results were retested with the Cepheid Influenza A/B test, confirming two positive cases. All 30 influenza B Diagenode positive samples were found positive by the cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay. Control samples (viral negative and non-influenza pathogens) were all negative by the cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay. The cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay showed a sensitivity for influenza A/B of 96% and 100%, respectively, and 100% specificity for both targets. The cobas®Liat®Influenza A/B assay is a useful tool for accurate, rapid, and sensitive detection of influenza A and B, offering timely and personalized patient management and infection control when implemented at the point-of-care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Willem J G
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5446-2230
authors.initials: WJG
authors.lastname: Melchers
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuijpers
authors.affiliation: Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, California.
authors.forename: Joanna Jackson
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sickler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Janette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rahamat-Langendoen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cobas®Liat® Influenza A/B assay; diagnosis; influenza; rapid detection