Utility of the BD Directigen Flu A+B rapid antigen detection assay as an influenza outbreak detection tool

摘要

Rapid antigen detection tests for influenza have low clinical sensitivity compared with reference methodologies (e.g. molecular methods and culture) when used to assist in the diagnosis of influenza in individual patients.1,2 In contrast, molecular diagnostic tools offer greater analytical sensitivity and specificity, but might be hampered by a requirement for expensive technology and a work-force comfortable with high-complexity testing.3,4 Given these concerns, the authors postulate that rapid antigen tests could still retain some usefulness when used to diagnose the etiology of outbreaks, rather than individual or sporadic cases.