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. 2004 Aug;42(8):3707-10.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.42.8.3707-3710.2004.

Comparison of the directigen flu A+B membrane enzyme immunoassay with viral culture for rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses in respiratory specimens

Andreea C Cazacu  1 , Sooyoung E Chung, Jewel Greer, Gail J Demmler
Affiliations

Comparison of the directigen flu A+B membrane enzyme immunoassay with viral culture for rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses in respiratory specimens

Andreea C Cazacu et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2004 Aug.

Abstract

The performance of a commercially available, rapid membrane enzyme immunoassay for influenza A and B virus detection was compared to that of viral culture in 4,092 respiratory specimens collected from patients presenting with respiratory symptoms during the 2002-2003 influenza season. The test's overall sensitivity was 43.83%, lower than previously reported but similar for detection of both influenza A and B viruses (42.98 versus 44.76%). However, specificity, 99.74%, was excellent for both influenza A and B viruses (99.82 versus 99.92%). These values make this test a very good confirmatory test when clinical suspicion is high, but a less accurate screening test for large populations.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Number and type of viruses isolated from respiratory samples submitted to the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex., during the period October 2002 to May 2003.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Monthly distribution of viruses isolated from respiratory samples submitted to the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex., during the period October 2002 to May 2003.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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