Evaluation of the rapid influenza detection tests GOLD SIGN FLU and Quick Navi-Flu for the detection of influenza A and B virus antigens in adults during the influenza season

Abstract

As the characteristics and accuracy of rapid influenza detection tests (RIDTs) vary, the development of a high-performance RIDT has been eagerly anticipated. In this study, the new RIDT GOLD SIGN FLU and the existing RIDT Quick Navi-Flu were evaluated in terms of detecting the antigens of influenza viruses A and B in Japanese adults with influenza-like symptoms. The study was performed from December 2013 to March 2014. Among the 123 patients from whom nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, 59 tested positive by viral isolation as the gold standard method (influenza A, n=38; influenza B, n=21). For GOLD SIGN FLU, the sensitivities were 73.7% and 81.0%, and the specificities were 97.6% and 98.0% for influenza A and B, respectively. For Quick Navi-Flu, the sensitivities were 86.8% and 85.7%, and the specificities were 98.8% and 100% for influenza A and B, respectively. The time to the appearance of the line on the test strip was less than 3min for influenza A and less than 2min for influenza B with both RIDTs in more than 90% of cases. GOLD SIGN FLU was useful for diagnosing influenza A, and the result was readily available for influenza B particularly among adult patients. Quick Navi-Flu showed better sensitivities and specificities than GOLD SIGN FLU.

The characteristics of influenza-like illness management in Japan

“…To our knowledge, no previous study has focused on the timing of visits to healthcare facilities by ILI patients. Akaishi and colleagues [16] suggested that the median time between onset of influenzalike symptoms and visiting hospitals in Japan was 26.2 h. Fowlkes and colleagues, however, reported that 36.0% of medically-attended influenza cases had visited healthcare facilities more than 2 days after symptom onset [17]. It is difficult to compare these two results directly, but 26.2 h (about 1 day) from symptom onset seems very early.…”

“…Contrary to the recommendation of the Infectious Disease Society of America [18], Japanese physicians usually use RIDT, rather than a molecular assay such as reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This may be because the rapid test has extremely high sensitivity and specificity in the early phases of symptoms [16,[19][20][21] and most patients in Japan visit physicians in these early stages, making the rapid test more appropriate.…”

Clinical evaluation of fully automated molecular diagnostic system “Simprova” for influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus

“…In contrast, the available number of RADTs for hMPV is low because hMPV was first identified in 2001 13 . RADTs can be used in point-of-care (POC) settings, but they are less sensitive than molecular diagnostic tests such as PCR and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) 14,15 . More recently, highly sensitive point-of-care testings (POCTs) based on NAAT that are easy to use in clinical settings have been developed.…”

The Characteristics of Influenza-Like Illness Management in Japan

“…Contrary to the recommendation of the Infectious Disease Society of America [18], Japanese physicians usually use RIDT, rather than a molecular assay such as reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This may be because the rapid test has extremely high sensitivity and specificity in the early phases of symptoms [16,[19][20][21] and most patients in Japan visit physicians in these early stages, making the rapid test more appropriate.…”