Pia Jokela1, Tytti Vuorinen2, Matti Waris2, Raija Manninen3. 1. Laboratory Services (Satadiag), Satakunta Central Hospital, 28500 Pori, Finland; Department of Clinical Virology, Division of Microbiology and Genetics, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland. Electronic address: pia.jokela@helsinki.fi. 2. Department of Clinical Virology, Division of Microbiology and Genetics, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland; Department of Virology, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland. 3. Laboratory Services (Satadiag), Satakunta Central Hospital, 28500 Pori, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Timely detection of influenza viruses is required to facilitate infection control measures and appropriate patient management. The Alere™ i Influenza A&B assay for detection of viral RNA and multianalyte mariPOC(®) test for detection of viral antigens enable rapid detection of influenza viruses with little hands-on time. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay and the mariPOC test in comparison to the Xpert(®) Flu A/B assay and laboratory-developed real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 140 and 108 nasopharyngeal specimens were analysed for evaluation of the Alere i and mariPOC, respectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay for detection of influenza A virus was 80.0% and 98.1%, and for influenza B virus 45.2% and 98.2%, respectively. For the mariPOC test, a sensitivity and specificity of 53.1% and 98.7%, respectively, for detection of influenza A virus was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The mariPOC test proved insensitive for detection of influenza A virus and therefore unsuitable for individual patient diagnosis without confirmatory testing. In contrast, the Alere i Influenza A&B assay was reasonably sensitive and specific for detection of influenza A and B virus, although decreased detection of specimens with low viral load was observed particularly for detection of influenza B virus. Taken together with its rapidity and ease of use, the Alere i influenza A&B assay is a welcome alternative to immunochromatographic rapid influenza detection tests and may provide timely results that enable appropriate patient care and management of patient flow during high-prevalence seasons.
BACKGROUND: Timely detection of influenza viruses is required to facilitate infection control measures and appropriate patient management. The Alere™ i Influenza A&B assay for detection of viral RNA and multianalyte mariPOC(®) test for detection of viral antigens enable rapid detection of influenza viruses with little hands-on time. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay and the mariPOC test in comparison to the Xpert(®) Flu A/B assay and laboratory-developed real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 140 and 108 nasopharyngeal specimens were analysed for evaluation of the Alere i and mariPOC, respectively. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay for detection of influenza A virus was 80.0% and 98.1%, and for influenza B virus 45.2% and 98.2%, respectively. For the mariPOC test, a sensitivity and specificity of 53.1% and 98.7%, respectively, for detection of influenza A virus was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The mariPOC test proved insensitive for detection of influenza A virus and therefore unsuitable for individual patient diagnosis without confirmatory testing. In contrast, the Alere i Influenza A&B assay was reasonably sensitive and specific for detection of influenza A and B virus, although decreased detection of specimens with low viral load was observed particularly for detection of influenza B virus. Taken together with its rapidity and ease of use, the Alere i influenza A&B assay is a welcome alternative to immunochromatographic rapid influenza detection tests and may provide timely results that enable appropriate patient care and management of patient flow during high-prevalence seasons.
Authors: Timothy M Uyeki; Henry H Bernstein; John S Bradley; Janet A Englund; Thomas M File; Alicia M Fry; Stefan Gravenstein; Frederick G Hayden; Scott A Harper; Jon Mark Hirshon; Michael G Ison; B Lynn Johnston; Shandra L Knight; Allison McGeer; Laura E Riley; Cameron R Wolfe; Paul E Alexander; Andrew T Pavia Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2019-03-05 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: F M Moesker; J J A van Kampen; G Aron; M Schutten; D A M C van de Vijver; M P G Koopmans; A D M E Osterhaus; P L A Fraaij Journal: J Clin Virol Date: 2016-03-25 Impact factor: 3.168