Application of Immunofluorescence in the Diagnosis of Influenza From Throat Washings

Abstract

Indirect immunofluorescent staining provides a valuable tool for the rapid diagnosis of influenza from throat washings. In 73 throat washings tested for the presence of Asian influenza virus by egg inoculation and by immunofluorescence, identical results were obtained by both methods. Although cross reactions were noted between strains within the type, the strain-specific reaction could be easily distinguished by a greater intensity of the fluorescence. The immunofluorescent technique has a great advantage over the isolation procedure since the results of the examination could be reported within 4–5 hours after arrival of the specimens in the laboratory. The technique is, of course, applicable only when a known type of influenza virus or a new strain antigenically related to the known strains is involved in the outbreak.

Diagnosis of Novel Pandemic Influenza Virus 2009 H1N1 in Hospitalized Patients

“…Early and reliable detection of the swine flu in clinical specimens will determine which patients, presenting with fever, should be immediately isolated and managed according to strict procedures of infection control. Several methods are available to diagnose influenza virus infection including rapid tests for the viral antigen present in the nasal and throat swabs or the naso-pharyngeal aspirates, immunofluorescence (IF) [1,10] and virus RNA isolation followed by PCR. Real-time RT PCR is the latest gold standard for diagnosis of the novel pandemic swine 2009-H1N1 virus.…”

Studies on Experimental Infection of Weanling Mice with Reoviruses.

“…These washings were then used in a hemagglutination-fluorescent antibody modification as first described by Baratawidjaja with influenza ( 11). Throat washings were taken from the mice immediately prior to sacrificing the animals.…”

“…Control slides of normal lungs FIG treated with immune sera showed an overall reisolation of the virus from mouse lung hodark bluish appearance which could not be mogenates, and direct fluorescence of virus mistaken for true fluorescence. Exu- ( 11). 2.…”