Comparative sensitivities and specificities of four rapid influenza A antigen detection kits for detection of H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1.

Influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics associated with high morbidity and mortality. Rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of pandemic influenza A virus are valuable for their ease using and accurate diagnosis of influenza. Many rapid influenza diagnostic kits were introduced recently. Hence, the sensitivities and specificities of them for testing influenza viruses need to monitor. In this study, the sensitivities and specificities of four diagnostic immunochromatographic assay kits for H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 were evaluated. For the detection of the three H1N1, three H3N2 and one H5N1 virus line, rapid diagnostic tests exhibited excellent specificity (all positive). And no false-positive results were obtained. They differed in respect to the sensitivity, especially in the lower haemagglutinin titer. However, all of them achieve the requirements of National Institutes for food and drug Control (NIFDC). Commercial influenza immunochromatographic assay kits are useful tools for the rapid diagnosis of influenza. Nonetheless, confirmatory testing is always recommended.