Open AccessEnhancing the predictive value of throat swabs in virological influenza surveillance
Author(s) -
Katrin Leitmeyer,
Udo Buchholz,
Michael H. Kramer,
Brunhilde Schweiger
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
euro surveillance/eurosurveillance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.766
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1560-7917
pISSN - 1025-496X
DOI - 10.2807/esm.07.12.00389-en
Subject(s) - throat , medicine , predictive value , virology , intensive care medicine , surgery
According to a national survey in Germany, the influenza virological surveillance can be improved when sentinel practitioners take throat swabs specimens only from patients who consult early after the disease onset (ie, within 48 hours), and when they use the strict clinical case definition of influenza-like illness. PCR should be used for primary detection of influenza viruses.