Abstract
An optical immunoassay for the rapid detection of influenza types A and B viral antigens, FLU OIA (Biostar, USA), was prospectively compared with antigen detection methods and cell culture on 400 respiratory specimens during an influenza outbreak that occurred in Switzerland in 1998/1999. The FLU OIA had an overall sensitivity of 64.4% (95%CI, 56.3–71.7%) and a specificity of 94.9% (95%CI, 89.8–97.7%). Using specimens from pediatric and adolescent patients, the sensitivity obtained (71.8%; 95%CI, 61.7–80%) was different than that achieved with specimens from adult patients (51.4%; 95%CI, 36.5–65%) (P=0.004). The results show that rapid diagnostic tests with higher sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza virus are needed.
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Schultze, D., Thomas, Y. & Wunderli, W. Evaluation of an Optical Immunoassay for the Rapid Detection of Influenza A and B Viral Antigens. EJCMID 20, 280–283 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100960100475
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100960100475