BACKGROUND: The influenza virus causes seasonal epidemics which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnostics tests (RDT) are frequently used to make a quick influenza diagnosis to confirm the clinical suspicion, despite their low sensitivity. OBJECTIVES: Assess the performance of the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay (Quidel, San Diego, CA). STUDY DESIGN: Nasopharyngeal swabs, taken from 241 patients (influenza A (n=73)/B (n=72), negative samples (n=96)) were analyzed using the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay, BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen kit (Alere Inc., USA), Directigen EZ Flu A and B (Becton Dickinson, USA), real-time RT-PCR and an influenza virus culture. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the performance of rapid antigen tests and the Sofia FIA, when compared to the RT-PCR, in the detection of influenza strain A and B. Indeed, the Sofia FIA displayed sensitivities of 82.2% and 77.8% for strains A and B respectively, whereas sensitivities of BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen kit, and Directigen Flu A and B were 54.8%, and 68.5% for influenza A, and 62.5%, and 52.8% for influenza B respectively. The average RT-PCR threshold cycle (C(t)) (±SD) for the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay-positive specimens was higher than those of the BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen and the Directigen EZ Flu A and B kit positive specimens. CONCLUSION: Compared to other RDTs, the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay is a sensitive, and rapid method for the detection and discrimination between influenza A and B.
BACKGROUND: The influenza virus causes seasonal epidemics which are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnostics tests (RDT) are frequently used to make a quick influenza diagnosis to confirm the clinical suspicion, despite their low sensitivity. OBJECTIVES: Assess the performance of the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay (Quidel, San Diego, CA). STUDY DESIGN: Nasopharyngeal swabs, taken from 241 patients (influenza A (n=73)/B (n=72), negative samples (n=96)) were analyzed using the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay, BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen kit (Alere Inc., USA), Directigen EZ Flu A and B (Becton Dickinson, USA), real-time RT-PCR and an influenza virus culture. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the performance of rapid antigen tests and the Sofia FIA, when compared to the RT-PCR, in the detection of influenza strain A and B. Indeed, the Sofia FIA displayed sensitivities of 82.2% and 77.8% for strains A and B respectively, whereas sensitivities of BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen kit, and Directigen Flu A and B were 54.8%, and 68.5% for influenza A, and 62.5%, and 52.8% for influenza B respectively. The average RT-PCR threshold cycle (C(t)) (±SD) for the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay-positive specimens was higher than those of the BinaxNOW Influenza A/B antigen and the Directigen EZ Flu A and B kit positive specimens. CONCLUSION: Compared to other RDTs, the Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay is a sensitive, and rapid method for the detection and discrimination between influenza A and B.
Authors: Christine F Markwalter; Andrew G Kantor; Carson P Moore; Kelly A Richardson; David W Wright Journal: Chem Rev Date: 2018-12-04 Impact factor: 60.622
Authors: L Beraud; K Gervasoni; A M Freydiere; G Descours; A G Ranc; F Vandenesch; G Lina; V Gaia; S Jarraud Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2015-06-20 Impact factor: 3.267