Open AccessEvaluating the performance of a rapid antigen test for the detection of influenza virus in clinical specimens from children in Cameroon
Author(s) -
Kenmoe Sebastien,
Tchendjou Patrice,
Moyo Tetang Suzie,
Mossus Tatiana,
Njankouo Ripa Mohammed,
Guillet Marlène,
Kfutwah Anfumbom,
Njouom Richard
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12210
Subject(s) - gold standard (test) , medicine , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , antigen , virology , real time polymerase chain reaction , polymerase chain reaction , virus , immunology , biology , gene , messenger rna , biochemistry
The performance of SD Bioline rapid antigen test (RAT) was evaluated using real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( rRT ‐PCR) as gold standard. A total of 718 nasal swabs, including 102 rRT ‐PCR positive and 616 rRT ‐PCR negative swabs, were tested. RAT demonstrates a sensitivity of 29·4% with a specificity of 100%. The positivity rate of RAT was highly associated with lower cycle threshold (Ct) values ( P < 0·0001). The excellent specificity of the RAT allowed for the rapid identification of influenza cases. However, negative results should be verified by rRT ‐PCR test because of limitations observed in sensitivity.