Comparison of a rapid antigen test with nucleic acid testing during cocirculation of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 and seasonal influenza A/H3N2

Jen Kok; Christopher C Blyth; Hong Foo; Jason Patterson; Janette Taylor; Kenneth McPhie; V Mala Ratnamohan; Jonathan R Iredell; Dominic E Dwyer

doi:10.1128/JCM.01465-09

Comparison of a rapid antigen test with nucleic acid testing during cocirculation of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 and seasonal influenza A/H3N2

J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Jan;48(1):290-1. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01465-09. Epub 2009 Nov 4.

Authors

Jen Kok¹, Christopher C Blyth, Hong Foo, Jason Patterson, Janette Taylor, Kenneth McPhie, V Mala Ratnamohan, Jonathan R Iredell, Dominic E Dwyer

Affiliation

¹ Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Level 3, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales 2145, Australia. jen.kok@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Abstract

The rapid diagnosis of influenza is critical in optimizing clinical management. Rapid antigen tests have decreased sensitivity in detecting pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus compared to seasonal influenza A subtypes (53.4% versus 74.2%, P < 0.001). Nucleic acid tests should be used to detect pandemic influenza virus when rapid antigen tests are negative.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

Antigens, Viral / immunology
Humans
Immunoassay / methods*
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology
Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification*
Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / genetics
Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / immunology
Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / isolation & purification*
Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
Influenza, Human / virology*
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
RNA, Viral / genetics
Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

Antigens, Viral
RNA, Viral