Annals of Clinical Microbiology, The official Journal of the Korean Society of Clinical Microbiology

Evaluation of a Rapid Antigen Test for Detection of Influenza Virus

Original article

Annals of Clinical Microbiology (Ann Clin Microbiol) 2004 December Volume 7, Issue 2, pages 119-123.


https://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2004.07.2.119

Evaluation of a Rapid Antigen Test for Detection of Influenza Virus

Wee Gyo Lee1 , Hae Kyung Lee2, Han Jin Kim2, June Key Chung2, Eun Hee Lee3, Hae Ran Moon3
Department of Laboratory Medicine1, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon; Ejinpediatric clinics2, Chunan; and Green Cross Reference Laboratory3, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Background : Influenza virus is a cause of annual outbreaks of acute respiratory disease and is responsible for considerable mortality and morbidity in all age groups. To achieve maximum efficacy antiinfluenza drugs must be started within 48 h of the development of influenza symptoms. Improvements in rapid diagnosis methods are needed to identify influenza infections. The aim of this study was to compare a quick rapid antigen test with viral culture assays.

Methods : A total of 87 nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected from symptomatic paediatric patients during March, 2004. The performance of the Quick S-Influ A/B rapid test for influenza virus detection was compared to that of the viral culture.

Results : The overall rate of detection for viral culture was 23.4% for influenza A virus and 13.4% for influenza B virus. The Quick S-Influ A/B assay identified 17 of 18 influenza A viruses (sensitivity, 94.4%; specificity, 96.8%; PPV, 89.5%; NPV, 98.4%), and identified 7 of 9 influenza B viruses (sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 98.4%; PPV, 87.5%; NPV, 96.8%).

Conclusions : The Quick S-Influ A/B assay was easy to perform and showed comparable sensitivities and specificities. This rapid test kit can be an alternative tool for interventions in disease management. (Korean J Clin Microbiol 2004;7(2):119-123)

Keywords

Rapid antigen test, Influenza A virus, Influenza B virus