Around-the-clock, rapid diagnosis of influenza by means of membrane chromatography antigen testing confirmed by polymerase chain reaction

• One rapid membrane chromatography test and 2 immunofluorescence tests were compared with polymerase chain reaction as tools for the diagnosis of influenza in 277 patients treated in an emergency department. The sensitivity on days 1-3 of symptoms was 71% for the rapid membrane chromatography test, 70% for the first immunofluorescence test, and 79% for the second immunofluorescence test. Rapid tests are useful for round-the-clock identification of influenza, with follow-up polymerase chain reaction used for confirmation.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Infektionsmedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Infectious Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Aged

Aged; 80 and over

Antigens; Viral/*analysis

Chromatography/*instrumentation

Female

Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Humans

Immunoenzyme Techniques/instrumentation/*methods

Influenza; Human/*diagnosis/therapy

Male

Middle Aged

Nasal Mucosa/virology

Orthomyxoviridae/*isolation & purification

Pharynx/virology

Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)