“…Influenza A and B epidemics usually began in January in calendar weeks 1-3 and sometimes later in February in calendar weeks 5-6 (1997/1998, 2001/2002, and 2005/2006 seasons). Epidemics reached the highest level in February through the first half of March (calendar weeks 5-10) and ended in the second half of March through April (calendar weeks [12][13][14][15][16]. These data are in agreement with the data for the whole of Germany, published every year by the Robert Koch Institute [23].…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 82%
“…The speed of the test is realized by the centrifugation of vials or plates, which enhances cell infection [13], and by the precytopathic detection of infected cells using staining with peroxidase-or fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled MAbs. The sensitivity of rapid precytopathic detection of influenza 1 or 2 days after inoculation has in some studies been reported to be higher than that of CCC [14,15], but other authors have found a similar sensitivity for both techniques [16,17] or a higher sensitivity for CCC [18,19]. In our study, the sensitivity of CCC was higher, equal, or lower than that of RCA in the different influenza seasons.…”
While PCR is the most sensitive assay for the diagnosis of influenza, the RCA can still be used for diagnosis and surveillance of this disease. Based on our findings and given the known fact that influenza antibodies reach a plateau 2-4 weeks after immunization, the optimal time for vaccination in Germany is from October through November. Kindergarten and school-aged children represent an important reservoir of infection. Consequently, routine immunization should be considered for this age group to prevent the spread of influenza.
“…Influenza A and B epidemics usually began in January in calendar weeks 1-3 and sometimes later in February in calendar weeks 5-6 (1997/1998, 2001/2002, and 2005/2006 seasons). Epidemics reached the highest level in February through the first half of March (calendar weeks 5-10) and ended in the second half of March through April (calendar weeks [12][13][14][15][16]. These data are in agreement with the data for the whole of Germany, published every year by the Robert Koch Institute [23].…”
Section: Discussionsupporting
confidence: 82%
“…The speed of the test is realized by the centrifugation of vials or plates, which enhances cell infection [13], and by the precytopathic detection of infected cells using staining with peroxidase-or fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled MAbs. The sensitivity of rapid precytopathic detection of influenza 1 or 2 days after inoculation has in some studies been reported to be higher than that of CCC [14,15], but other authors have found a similar sensitivity for both techniques [16,17] or a higher sensitivity for CCC [18,19]. In our study, the sensitivity of CCC was higher, equal, or lower than that of RCA in the different influenza seasons.…”
While PCR is the most sensitive assay for the diagnosis of influenza, the RCA can still be used for diagnosis and surveillance of this disease. Based on our findings and given the known fact that influenza antibodies reach a plateau 2-4 weeks after immunization, the optimal time for vaccination in Germany is from October through November. Kindergarten and school-aged children represent an important reservoir of infection. Consequently, routine immunization should be considered for this age group to prevent the spread of influenza.
“…The reference methods used for the four viruses are listed in Table 1. The rapid culture for influenza virus types A and B was performed in 96-well plates as described previously (1). Specimens with discrepant results were cultured by conventional tube culture with hemadsorption (3).…”
Section: Methodsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Conventional virus culture, however, can require up to 2 weeks for a final result; this is too slow to be useful in patient treatment and management. Many laboratories currently employ rapid-culture methods, with sensitivities approaching or even exceeding those of conventional culture for isolation of respiratory viruses (1,7). Results are usually available within 48 h, but separate tests must be run for each suspected virus.…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Simultaneous rapid culture for adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus in the same shell vial with a multicolored differential fluorescent confirmatory stain has been reported (2). We used the same stain (three fluorochromes) to differentiate respiratory viruses isolated in a 96-well plate format that was previously described for influenza virus culture (1). We expanded the culture-confirmatory stain by adding a fourth fluorescent marker and used it to detect and differentiate among four viruses.…”
A simultaneous rapid culture for influenza virus types A and B, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus was developed in a 96-well plate format with a culture-confirmatory stain using multiple fluorescent tags. Performance characteristics were comparable to those of standard and/or single rapid-culture methods as shown by parallel testing of 590 fresh clinical specimens and retrospective testing of 190 previously positive frozen specimens. The quadruple culture required less specimen volume than separate cultures, was significantly quicker than standard tube culture, was less labor intensive than separate cultures, and was less expensive than the other methods.
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