III. Advantages
- Rapid assay for Influenza in the clinic setting
- Allows early Neuraminidase Inhibitor start
- Indicated for high risk populations (See Influenza)
IV. Disadvantages
- Expensive in combination with Neuraminidase Inhibitor
- Prevention by Influenza Vaccine is much less expensive
V. Available Tests ($15-20 each)
- Flu OIA
- Detects both Influenza A and B
- Immunoassay for Nucleoprotein
- Nasopharyngeal swabs or aspirate
- Throat swabs or Sputum
- Seven step process performed in 15 minutes
- Requires more technician time than with other tests
- Efficacy (compared with culture, DFA and PCR)
- Test Sensitivity: 62-88% (overall: 80%)
- Test Specificity: 52-80% (overall: 73%)
- QuickVue Influenza Test
- May be used in CLIA-waived labs
- Detects both Influenza A and B
- Immunoassay for Nucleoprotein
- Nasopharyngeal swabs or aspirate
- Three step process performed in 10 minutes
- Efficacy (compared with viral culture)
- Test Sensitivity: 73-81%
- Test Specificity: 96-99%
- ZstatFlu
- May be used in CLIA-waived labs
- Detects both Influenza A and B
- Enzymatic assay for neuraminidase activity
- Throat swab
- Four step process performed in 20 minutes
- Requires more technician time than with other tests
- Efficacy
- Lower efficacy than with other tests
- Test Sensitivity: 51-72%
- Test Specificity: 93-100%
- BD Directigen Flu A+B
- Sample from nasopharyngeal aspirate
- Only rapid test that distinguishes Influenza A and B
- Nine step process performed in 15 minutes
- Efficacy
- Test Sensitivity: 67-96%
- Test Specificity: 88-97%
- BD Directigen Flu A
- Detects only Influenza A
- Sample from nasopharyngeal aspirate or washing
- Eleven step process performed in 15 minutes
- Efficacy
- Test Sensitivity: 60-77% (Influenza A: 91%)
- Test Specificity: 80-90% (Influenza A: 95%)