INFLUENZA VIRUS A AND B, ANTIGEN DETECTION

LAB1051

11177

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collected in VCM medium or equivalent FDA approved transport media, Amies Liquid Transport Swab, Amies Liquid Elution Swab (ESwab™) or equivalent, or 1 mL saline
or
Nasopharyngeal washes/aspirate or lower nasal(turbinate) washes collected in VCM medium or equivalent FDA approved transport media

One swab or 1 mL

Throat swab

NP swabs: Flocked nylon, Dacron® polyester or rayon-tipped swabs with flexible wire are recommended.
Washes and aspirates: Should be added to an equal amount of VCM medium

NP swabs: VCM medium or equivalent FDA approved transport media, Amies Liquid Transport Swab, Amies Liquid Elution Swab (ESwab) or equivalent, or 1 mL saline Washes and aspirates: VCM medium or equivalent FDA approved transport media.

Refrigerated (cold packs)

VCM or equivalent
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: 6 months

Transport swab or saline
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Specimens submitted in transport systems not listed as acceptable • Sources other than those listed as preferred or acceptable • Wooden-shaft swabs • Cotton tipped swabs • Calcium alginate swabs

Mon-Sat

3 days

Influenza is an acute viral disease that is seasonal in incidence, occurring in the colder months. The illness classically presents with sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, myalgia and a non-productive cough. Influenza A or B virus cause the majority of clinically significant disease, with influenza C virus being responsible only for mild, predominately upper respiratory tract illness. Patients who present with suspected influenza may benefit from treatment with antiviral agents. Since the therapeutic options have expanded to include options for the treatment of influenza B disease, it is important to rapidly distinguish influenza A from influenza B in order to allow physicians a choice in selective antiviral intervention. This will also allow for the appropriate preventative intervention to be taken in institutions where measures can be taken for susceptible individuals. It is therefore important to not only rapidly determine whether influenza is present, but also which type of influenza virus is present.