Performance of Binax NOW Flu A and B and direct fluorescent assay in comparison with a composite of viral culture or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of influenza infection during the 2006 to 2007 season

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2008 Oct;62(2):162-6. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2007.10.012. Epub 2007 Dec 3.

Abstract

The Binax NOW Flu A and Flu B (Binax NOW), direct fluorescent assay (DFA), and viral culture were evaluated and compared with a composite of viral culture or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Participants with medically attended acute respiratory illness were identified through active surveillance during the 2006 to 2007 season, and consenting individuals (n=932) were tested for influenza by culture and RT-PCR. Physicians ordered a rapid antigen test (Binax NOW [n=73] or DFA [n=70]) according to their clinical judgment. The Binax NOW detected 11 of 18 influenza infections (sensitivity, 61%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 36-83%), whereas DFA detected 17 of 21 influenza infections (sensitivity 81%, 95% CI, 58-95%). Compared with culture/RT-PCR, specificity of both Binax NOW and DFA was 100%. During the 2006 to 2007 influenza season, DFA and Binax NOW demonstrated high specificity but failed to identify a substantial proportion of influenza infections.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct*
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods*
  • Infant
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / immunology
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / immunology
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharynx / virology
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Seasons
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Virus Cultivation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic