Poor clinical sensitivity of rapid antigen test for influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus

Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Oct;15(10):1662-4. doi: 10.3201/eid1510.091186.

Abstract

Influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus RNA was detected by reverse transcription-PCR in 144 clinical samples from Bonn, Germany. A common rapid antigen-based test detected the virus in only 11.1% of these samples. The paramount feature of rapid test-positive samples was high virus concentration. Antigen-based rapid tests appear unsuitable for virologic diagnostics in the current pandemic.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Viral / blood*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza, Human / blood
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral