犬肾传代细胞在流感病毒分离培养中的初步应用

目的分析2011—2014年新疆阿克苏地区流感病毒的分离培养工作,总结经验,为本地区的流感防控提供科学依据。方法利用犬肾传代细胞(MDCK)技术培养法、红细胞凝集试验、红细胞凝集抑制试验分离鉴定流感病毒。结果 2011—2014年阿克苏地区流感监测中的核酸阳性166份样本,成功培养出滴度符合要求的流感病毒74株、分离率44.58%;其中18株新甲型H1N1、分离率10.84%,50株季节性甲型H3、分离率30.12%,6株B型、分离率3.61%;2014年分离率最高为76.92%,2010年最低为6.67%。结论 MDCK细胞对流感病毒具有较高的敏感性,流感病毒分离技术已初步应用于阿克苏地区的流感监测工作中。     

混合细胞瓶对临床标本中流行性感冒病毒和肠道病毒的分离检测

目的 比较犬肾细胞系(MDCK)、人喉表皮癌细胞(Hep-2)和非洲绿猴肾细胞(Vero)制备的MHV混合细胞与相应单一敏感细胞株对流行性感冒(流感)病毒、肠道病毒的分离结果.方法 流感样患者咽拭子标本接种MHV混合细胞和MDCK细胞,手足口病患儿咽拭子或粪标本接种MHV混合细胞和Vero细胞,观察病毒致细胞病变效应(CPE),采用多重反转录-聚合酶链反应(mRT-PCR)检测甲、乙型流感病毒和肠道病毒.结果 MDCK和Vero细胞的CPE较MHV混合细胞明显.138份流感病毒接种MHV混合细胞,分离出34株流感病毒,分离率为24.6％;MDCK细胞分离出流感病毒39株,分离率为28.3％.MHV混合细胞与MDCK细胞流感病毒分离率比较,差异无统计学意义(x2=1.92,P＞0.05).32株肠道病毒接种MHV混合细胞,分离出肠道病毒9株,分离率为28.1％;Vero细胞分离出12株肠道病毒,分离率为37.5％.MHV混合细胞与Vero细胞肠道病毒分离率比较,差异无统计学意义(x2 =3.00,P＞0.05).结论 MHV混合细胞CPE不如单一细胞易于观察;MHV混合细胞适用于生物性突发公共卫生事件中,可分离培养临床标本中甲型、乙型流感病毒和表现为呼吸道症状的肠道病毒.     

上海地区2004年至2008年甲型流行性感冒病毒亚型的分布

目的 分析近5年上海地区甲型流行性感冒(流感)病毒亚型的分布并探究其原因.方法 对上海地区流感监测哨点流感样患者和聚集性流感暴发患者,采集咽拭子标本接种犬肾细胞(MDCK),直接荧光免疫法鉴定阳性分离株型别,多重RT-PCR鉴定亚型.结果 2004年至2005年初的季节性流感以A/H3N2为主;2005年末至2006年中期的季节性流感以A/H1N1为主;2006年末到2007年10月份分离到的流感毒株基本为A/H3N2亚型;2008年1月至5月份,人群流感病毒分离株仍以A/H3N2处于优势地位,但从2008年7月开始的季节性流感则以A/H1N1占绝对优势.结论 近5年上海地区季节性流感主要为甲型流感病毒H3N2和H1N1亚型,但在不同年份的季节性流感中流行强度有所不同.     

2009～2010年乌鲁木齐市流行性感冒病原学监测分析

目的了解流行性感冒病毒（流感）的流行情况,探讨流感流行规律,为制订流感控制措施提供依据。方法对乌鲁木齐市监测门诊及疫情点的疑似流感样病例采集咽拭子标本,用核酸检测和接种狗肾传代细胞（MDCK）培养进行流感病毒分离及进行血凝试验,并对阳性者进行血凝抑制试验进行分型鉴定。结果 2009年10月-2010年3月监测流感样标本与咽拭子标本共1 218份,分离出流感病毒181株,分离率3.72%,分别为甲型H1N1亚型8株、H3N2亚型32株、新甲型H1N1 104株、B型37株。结论 2009年10月-2010年1月是以新甲型H1N1亚型流感病毒流行为主,2010年2月以B型流感流行为主。     

上海和无锡流感病毒病原学监测及血凝素基因变异

目的了解2004至2006年流感流行季节流感病毒型及亚型在上海及无锡两地流感样患者中流行情况及病毒型内血凝素（HA）基因变异状况。方法与上海及无锡市疾病预防控制中心合作，对门诊流感样患者及集体单位聚集性流感样暴发患者采集鼻咽拭标本，接种MDCK细胞，分离流感病毒，直接荧光免疫法鉴定阳性分离株型别，对甲型流感病毒采用RT-PCR鉴定亚型，并对部分H3、H1亚型流感病毒进行HA全基因片段测序，分析流感病毒HA基因变异状况。结果2004年8月至2006年9月，上海及无锡两地流感样患者中共分离到126株流感病毒，其中53株为H3N2亚型，43株为H1N1亚型，30株为B型。聚集性流感样疾病暴发多在2、3月份，分析7起聚集性流感样疾病暴发，分别为H3N2流感病毒感染2起，H1N1流感病毒感染1起，B型2起，及H3N2、B和H1N1、B混合感染各1起。HA序列分析，H1、H3与同期其他国家和地区的分离株近源。结论上海及无锡两地散发和局部暴发的甲型流感病毒感染仍主要为H1N1、H3N2亚型，未发现HA、NA重组株和新的HA、NA亚型；1～3月份为发病高峰；H1、H3型内变异状况与其他国家和地区相似。     

2008年上海及周边地区婴幼儿手足口病病原学研究

目的 了解2008年上海及周边地区婴幼儿手足IZl病病原体分布情况及其基因特征.方法 采集2008年5月至6月手足口病流行期间复旦大学附属儿科医院及浙江省德清市住院患儿咽拭标本,部分患儿同时采集脑脊液标本,分别接种于Vem、MRC-5及RD细胞进行病原体分离,RTPCR检测肠道病毒属、柯萨奇病毒A组16型(CoxA16)、肠道病毒71型(EV71),并对扩增产物测序鉴定.结果 100例患儿的107份咽拭和22份脑脊液标本中,共计50例患儿的咽拭标本致细胞病变,经鉴定肠道病毒感染37例,占74.0%,其中EV71为26例,占52.0%(26/50例),CoxAl6为10例,占20.0%(10/50例),其他肠道病毒(CoxB3)1例,占2.O%(1/50例);肠道病毒属外的其他病原体13例,占26.0%,且其中1例患儿的脑脊液标本致Vero细胞病变.所有26例EV71病毒株与2008年中国浙江省及安徽省阜阳市EV71病毒株相似,同属于C基因型;10例CoxA16病毒株均属于C遗传世系.结论 手足口病病原复杂,2008年上海及周边地区婴幼儿手足口病的主要病原体仍是EV71和CoxA16,但尚存在一定比例的其他未知病原体.     

多细胞株微量培养法在病毒性脑炎、脑膜炎患儿病原学检测的应用研究

目的探讨多细胞株微量培养法在病毒性脑炎、脑膜炎病原学检测中的应用价值。方法将脑脊液(CSF)标本过滤除菌后分别接种于含有青霉素和链霉素微量细胞培养板单层细胞上,每份标本平行接种8株细胞:MA104、MDCK、HEL、HEK293、Vero、Hep-2、Hela和BHK-21。静置培养,获得稳定的病毒株。以肠道病毒(EV)组合血清鉴定引起病毒性脑炎、脑膜炎的常见病毒类型。结果 126份病毒性脑炎、脑膜炎患儿CSF标本82份分离到病毒,阳性率63.0%,其中MA104阳性率为57.1%,MDCK阳性率为19.8%,HEL阳性率为11.9%,HEK阳性率为7.1%,Vero阳性率为6.3%,Hep-2阳性率为4.8%,Hela阳性率为4.0%,BHK-21阳性率为2.4%。病变细胞经血清学鉴定,78例鉴定出病毒株,鉴定率为92.8%,这些病毒中EV所占比例较高,为69.2%;ADV占11.5%,HSV-Ⅰ占5.1%,HSV-Ⅱ占6.4%;CMV占5.1%,INF占2.6%。结论 MA104细胞是分离CSF中病毒较敏感的细胞,可以作CSF中病原分离的首选细胞;联合多株细胞可提高细胞病变检出率。多株细胞微孔板培养法分离CSF病毒具有推广应用价值。     

甲型H1N1流行性感冒病毒血凝素基因变异状况及序列分析

目的 了解2009年度甲型H1N1流行性感冒(流感)病毒的检测情况和血凝素(HA)基因变异情况.方法 选择国家级流感监测哨点医院以及暴发疫情的疫点,采集流感样病例的鼻咽拭子标本,通过实时(RT)-PCR进行病毒分型及甲型H1N1流感病毒检测,对阳性标本采用狗肾细胞(MDCK)进行病原分离,采用红细胞凝集试验测定病毒效价,用血凝抑制实验进行型别鉴定,通过RT-PCR扩增毒株HA1片段的基因并进行序列测定,利用生物信息学技术进行序列分析.结果 共检测咽拭子样本996份,其中核酸检测阳性病例包括甲型H1N1 337份,季节性H1N1亚型1份,季节性H3N2亚型67份,B型12份,流感核酸检测阳性率为41.87％,其中甲型流感核酸检测阳性率为33.84％.分离出甲型H1N1病毒36株,选择18株.测序成功的10株甲型H1N1流感病毒在多个氨基酸位点发生变异,与疫苗株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)比较,有6个位点发生突变,其中1个位点位于抗原决定簇的B区.结论 2009年度分离到的流感病毒株中以甲型H1N1为绝对的优势毒株,毒株的血凝素基因与世界卫生组织(WHO)提供的疫苗株相比有变异,与疫苗株相比,抗原决定簇B区有改变,但关键位点第222位没有变化.     

2008～2009年烟台市流感病原学监测结果分析

对烟台市2008和2009年度流感病毒病原学监测结果进行对比分析。两年间2个国家级流感样病例监测哨点医院共采集流感样病例标本(排除甲流)930份,分离流感病毒130株,分离率13.98%。2008～2009年度共检测标本426份,分离流感病毒62株,分离率14.55%;2009年度检测504份,分离流感病毒68株,分离率13.49%。2008～2009年度以甲型H1N1亚型为优势毒株,占95.16%(59株);2009年则以甲型H3N2亚型为流行的优势毒株,占76.47%(52株)。     

2009年上海地区甲型流行性感冒流行及甲型H1N1病毒分离株变异分析

目的 了解2009年上海地区人群流行性感冒(流感)的流行特征和流行期间甲型H1N1分离株基因和抗原的变异.方法 采集2009年上海地区哨点医院和学校聚集性流感样患者咽拭子标本,接种犬肾细胞(MDCK细胞)分离流感病毒,直接荧光免疫法鉴定流感病毒型,RT-PCR法鉴定亚型,对部分甲型H1N1流感病毒进行血凝素(HA)、神经氨酸酶(NA)等片段全基因测序,分析甲型H1N1流感病毒HA、NA等基因变异.结果 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感中,季节性H1N1和H3N2流感同时存在,进入第32周时,甲型H1N1和季节性H3N2流感同时流行,第40周后主要是甲型H1N1流行.甲型H1N1流行株HA进化分析显示,不同区域、不同月份分离株互有穿插,上海地区分离株聚集成簇形成一个分枝,与西班牙、俄罗斯、丹麦等国的流行株接近.HA演绎推导氨基酸位点虽有变异,但都不位于抗原决定区域;NA基因演绎推导氨基酸位点未观察到274位点及与耐奥司他韦药物相关其他位点的变异;PB2蛋白氨基酸序列分析显示,第627位和第701位氨基酸分别是谷氨酸和天冬氨酸,为禽源流感病毒PB2蛋白氨基酸位点.结论 2009年上海地区冬春季人群流感,季节性H1N1和H3N2同时流行,夏秋季开始甲型H1N1、季节性H3N2在人群中同时流行,之后以甲型H1N1为主.甲型H1N1与早期分离株比较有一定变异,但尚未出现流行病学意义的抗原漂移株,仍表现为对人的高亲和力和低致病性特征.     

Evaluation of an immunochromatography test kit for rapid diagnosis of influenza

We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the Capilia Flu AB rapid diagnosis kit for influenza that utilizes the immunochromatography method. Tested were 114 influenza like illness patients in the 2001/2002 influenza season. We used Capilia Flu AB and Infu A . B Quick, a rapid diagnosis kit based on enzyme immunoassay. As laboratory confirmation tests, influenza virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were done. Those patients with positive results from virus isolation or PCR were regarded as influenza patients. The sensitivities of nasal swab, pharyngeal swab, and nasal wash specimens were 82.8%, 80.0%, and 75.0%, respectively. The specificities of nasal swab, pharyngeal swab, and nasal wash specimens were 95.3%, 93.9%, and 100%, respectively. A total of 20 patients displayed different results in comparison of their nasal and pharyngeal swabs: 15 patients were positive with the nasal swab but negative with the pharyngeal swab and 5 patients were negative with the nasal swab but positive with the pharyngeal swab. Nasal swab would seem to be preferable in terms of sensitivity. The sensitivity and specificity of Capilia Flu AB were a little higher than those of Influ A . B Quick, but with no significant difference. The one-step operation of Capilia Flu AB is easier than the four steps required by Influ A . B Quick, but the time required to make a diagnosis is the same. No significant age related difference in the effectiveness of the kits was found. The Capilia Flu AB rapid diagnosis kit is useful in clinical practice because it has good sensitivity (about 80%) and specificity (about 90%), and it is easy to use.     

福建省甲型H1N1流感病毒分离及首例分离株全基因组序列分析

目的分离甲型HIN1流感病毒,分析福建省首例病毒分离株全基因组序列和遗传特征,为研究病毒进化、致病性、流行规律提供科学依据。方法采用MDCK细胞和Real—time PCR法进行病毒分离、鉴定;提取病毒RNA,通过RT-PCR扩增其8个基因片段,测定核苷酸序列,利用生物信息软件拼接全基因组序列;分析重要基因位点,利用GENBANK中相关序列对首例病毒分离株A／Fujian／01／2009（H1N1）进行基因进化树分析。结果从82例甲型H1N1流感确诊病例标本中分离出50株甲型H1N1流感病毒,第一代分离阳性率60．98％。在福建省首次获得甲型H1N1流感病毒株及全基因组序列。基因组序列分析证明：该毒株与2009年大流行株高度同源,其基因组存在四源重组现象;氨基酸位点分析其对达菲药物敏感,对金刚烷胺类药物耐药;相对于猪流感代表株A／Swine／Iowa／15／1930（HIN1）存在6个HA抗原决定簇位点变异。结论MD—CK细胞对甲型H1N1流感病毒具有较高敏感性;福建省首例甲型H1N1流感病例分离病毒株与北美流行株高度同源;相对于以往古典型猪流感代表株出现了HA蛋白抗原性漂移;为今后进一步开展甲型H1N1流感病毒分子生物学研究奠定基础。     

Evaluation of influenza virus detection by direct enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and conventional methods in asthmatic patients

Throat gargle specimens of fifty-seven acute asthmatic patients (age range 18-40 years) were collected for the study. Thirty-four patients were found influenza virus positive in acute asthma cases. Influenza virus was isolated by conventional culture method on MDCK cell-line and by enzyme immunoassay test (EIA). The EIA negative specimens were retested after virus amplification on MDCK cell-line. Virus shedding and virus surface receptors assay was carried out to determine influenza virus titre. Airway functions were measured by spirometry. A good relationship was observed between the degree of airflow limitation and presence of influenza virus infection (p < 0.001; r = 0.85). A comparable difference in % FEV1 was observed in relation to the symptoms. The patients with greater viral antigen load had lower % FEV1. Two specimens, which were EIA negative, turned out to be positive after amplification on MDCK cell-line. The sensitivity was 98% and specificity was 100%. It was concluded that EIA method is a useful diagnostic tool as it detects influenza viral antigen quickly as compared to conventional methods.     

甲型H1N1流感病毒长春株的分离鉴定及其分子进化分析

目的分离目前流行的甲型H1N1流感病毒,对其进行基因序列测定和遗传变异分析,为研究病毒进化、致病性、流行规律及防治提供科学依据。方法采用MDCK细胞、SPF鸡胚和RT-PCR方法对甲型H1N1流感病毒进行分离、鉴定,并进行核苷酸序列测定和分子进化分析。结果从疑似甲型H1N1流感临床标本中分离得到1株甲型H1N1流感病毒,命名为长春株(A/Changchun/01/2009(H1N1)),基因序列及分子进化分析显示该毒株与2009年大流行的甲型H1N1毒株高度同源,属于流行分支2。相对流行分支1(北美流行株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)),PB2、HA、NA分别出现2个、7个和4个氨基酸的差异。结论甲型H1N1流感病毒长春株与2009年大流行的甲型H1N1毒株高度同源,属于流行分支2,与流行分支1相比存在变异。     

Comparative Susceptibility of Madin–Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) Derived Cell Lines for Isolation of Swine Origin Influenza A Viruses from Different Clinical Specimens

Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are commonly used for the isolation of mammalian influenza A viruses. The goal of this study was to compare the sensitivity and suitability of the original MDCK cell line in comparison with MDCK-derived cell lines, MDCK.2, MDCK SIAT-1 and MDCK-London for isolation of swine-origin influenza A viruses (IAV-S) from clinical specimens. One-hundred thirty clinical specimens collected from pigs in the form of nasal swabs, lung tissue and oral fluids that were positive by PCR for the presence of IAV-S RNA were inoculated in the cell cultures listed above. MDCK-SIAT1 cells yielded the highest proportion of positive IAV-S isolations from all specimen types. For nasal swabs, 58.62% of the specimens were IAV-S positive in MDCK-SIAT1 cells, followed by MDCK-London (36.21%), and conventional MDCK and MDCK.2 cells (27.5%). For lung specimens, 59.38% were IAV-S positive in MDCK-SIAT1 cells, followed by MDCK-London (40.63%), and conventional MDCK and MDCK.2 cells (18.75–31.25%). Oral fluids yielded the lowest number of positive virus isolation results, but MDCK-SIAT1 cells were still had the highest rate (35%) of IAV-S isolation, whereas the isolation rate in other cells ranged from 5–7.5%. Samples with lower IAV-S PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values were more suitable for culturing and isolation. The isolated IAV-S represented H1N1-β, H1N2-α, H1N1pdm and H3N2 cluster IV and cluster IVB viruses. The result of the current study demonstrated the importance of using the most appropriate MDCK cells when isolating IAV-S from clinical samples.     

婴幼儿疑似甲型H1N1重症病例及门诊流感样病例中鼻病毒的检测分析

目的 了解鼻病毒在婴幼儿疑似甲型H1N1重症病例及门诊流感样病例中的分布、分子进化特征,及与其他呼吸道病毒的合并感染情况。方法 样本有两种来源：疑似甲流重症病例样本246份为样本1组,门诊流感样病例样本68份为样本2组。扩增鼻病毒5’非编码区及VP2-VP4区,测序比对,构建进化树。对鼻病毒阳性样本检测其他常见呼吸道病毒。结果 样本1组中鼻病毒阳性率为8.54%(21/246)。样本2组中鼻病毒阳性率为16.2%（11/68）。样本1组和样本2组鼻病毒与其他呼吸道病毒的合并感染率分别为71.4%、9.09%,两者具有显著性差异（P<0.05）。对其中14份样本成功进行了测序,HRV-A、HRV-B、HRV-C基因型所占比例分别为64.3%、7.1%和28.6%。多序列比对分析表明鼻病毒3个基因型间的核苷酸序列一致性为55%～65%。结论 HRV在疑似甲型H1N1流感重症病例中主要是以合并感染为主。杭州地区婴幼儿疑似甲型H1N1流感重症病例及门诊流感样病例中鼻病毒感染主要是以HRV-A,HRV-C基因型为主,HRV各型别之间核苷酸变异较大。     

2007—2008年新疆流感监测结果分析

目的分析2007—2008年新疆流行性感冒（流感）流行特征和流感病毒优势株的情况。方法收集、分析监测哨点医院流感样病例及实验室病原学资料,用细胞培养分离并用血球凝集抑制试验对流感病毒进行分型。结果监测哨点医院2007—2008年流感样病例处于较为平稳的水平,无明显的流行高峰,病例相对集中在2007年12月-2008年1月,此监测年度无疫情暴发报告;共收集流感样病例标本589份,分离病毒60株,阳性率为10．19％;其中B（Yamagata）型52株（86％）,H3N2亚型7株（12％）,H1N1亚型1株（2％）。结论2007—2008年新疆流感活动较为平稳,流行毒株以B（Yamagata）型病毒为主,并有向H3N2亚型转化的趋势。     

Home collection of nasal swabs for detection of influenza in the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation Study

BackgroundCommunity‐based studies of influenza and other respiratory viruses (eg, SARS‐CoV‐2) require laboratory confirmation of infection. During the current COVID‐19 pandemic, social distancing guidelines require alternative data collection in order to protect both research staff and participants. Home‐collected respiratory specimens are less resource‐intensive, can be collected earlier after symptom onset, and provide a low‐contact means of data collection. A prospective, multi‐year, community‐based cohort study is an ideal setting to examine the utility of home‐collected specimens for identification of influenza.MethodsWe describe the feasibility and reliability of home‐collected specimens for the detection of influenza. We collected data and specimens between October 2014 and June 2017 from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation (HIVE) Study. Cohort participants were asked to collect a nasal swab at home upon onset of acute respiratory illness. Research staff also collected nose and throat swab specimens in the study clinic within 7 days of onset. We estimated agreement using Cohen''s kappa and calculated sensitivity and specificity of home‐collected compared to staff‐collected specimens.ResultsWe tested 336 paired staff‐ and home‐collected respiratory specimens for influenza by RT‐PCR; 150 staff‐collected specimens were positive for influenza A/H3N2, 23 for influenza A/H1N1, 14 for influenza B/Victoria, and 31 for influenza B/Yamagata. We found moderate agreement between collection methods for influenza A/H3N2 (0.70) and B/Yamagata (0.69) and high agreement for influenza A/H1N1 (0.87) and B/Victoria (0.86). Sensitivity ranged from 78% to 86% for all influenza types and subtypes. Specificity was high for influenza A/H1N1 and both influenza B lineages with a range from 96% to 100%, and slightly lower for A/H3N2 infections (88%).ConclusionsCollection of nasal swab specimens at home is both feasible and reliable for identification of influenza virus infections.     

Evaluation of immunochromatography method for rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses

We have evaluated a new rapid detection kit for influenza A and B viruses, known as the QuickVue Influenza test (Quidel Coporation, USA); which is based on immunochromatography using virus isolates and clinical specimens. Twelve strains of influenza A and B were tested for evaluate the reactivity and detection limits of this test. The QuickVue Influenza test showed a positive result for all twelve strains of influenza virus and a negative result for fourteen different kinds of other respiratory viruses. The detection limits for six strains were 5 to 30 pfu/ml for a cell culture, 1.0 x 10(3) to 6.0 x 10(4) pfu/ml for 1st PCR, 1 to 50 pfu/ml for nested PCR, 3.0 x 10(5) to 6.0 x 10(5) pfu/ml for the QuickVue Influenza test, 1.5 x 10(5) to 1.0 x 10(6) pfu/ml for the Directigen Flu A, and 7.5 x 10(5) to 5.0 x 10(6) pfu/ml for the FLU OIA. Furthermore, the QuickVue Influenza test were clinically evaluated using 92 throat swab specimens collected from patients with influenza-like illnesses. By cell culture, influenza viruses were detected in 49 of the 92 specimens (AH1N1: 20, AH3N2: 7, B: 22); the titers of the influenza viruses were between 2.5 pfu/ml and 7.0 x 10(5) pfu/ml. Compared to cell culture, the QuickVue Influenza test showed a sensitivity of 75.5%, a specificity of 93.0%, a positive predictive value of 92.5%, a negative predictive value of 76.9%, and an efficiency value of 83.7%. On the other hand, influenza viruses were detected in 54 of the 92 specimens (AH1N1: 19, AH 3N2: 10, B: 25) by RT-PCR. Compared to RT-PCR, the QuickVue Influenza test showed a sensitivity of 72.2%, a specificity of 97.4%, a positive predictive value of 97.5%, a negative predictive value of 71.2%, and an efficiency value of 82.6%. Overall, only one throat swab specimen produced a false positive result using the QuickVue Influenza test; thus, this test appears to have a high specificity. We conclude that the QuickVue Influenza test is a simple one-step test with a sensitivity and specificity equivalent to those of other conventional diagnostic kits. The test is useful and suitable for the diagnosis of influenza and for identifying influenza patients requiring antiviral therapy.