CLINICAL PERFORMANCE OF A RAPID INFLUENZA TEST AND COMPARISON OF NASAL VERSUS THROAT SWABS TO DETECT 2009 PANDEMIC INFLUENZA A (H1N1) INFECTION IN THAI CHILDREN

Authors:
  • RJRichard G. Jarman
    Richard G. Jarman
  • JLJens Levy
    Jens Levy
  • HBHenry C. Baggett
    Henry C. Baggett
  • RGRobert V. Gibbons
    Robert V. Gibbons
  • TCTawee Chotpitayasunondh
    Tawee Chotpitayasunondh
  • JSJames M. Simmerman
    James M. Simmerman
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Abstract
We identified febrile pediatric outpatients seeking care for influenza like illness in Bangkok. Two nasal and 1 throat swab were tested using the QuickVue A+B rapid influenza kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Among 142 pandemic influenza A (H1N1)-positive patients, the QuickVue test identified 89 positive tests for a sensitivity of 62.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 54.7-70.6). Specificity was 99.2% (95% CI: 98-100). In the 0 to 2 years age group, sensitivity was 76.7% (95% CI: 61.5-91.8). Throat and nasal swabs are equally useful diagnostic specimens for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction diagnosis.

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