Evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for influenza viruses A and B

This study analysed the performance of a rapid test for the diagnosis of human influenza A and B. Three-hundred nasopharyngeal samples were analysed using the BD Directigen Flu A+B test and real-time PCR, during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 flu seasons. Specificity of the BD Directigen Flu A+B test was 100% and sensitivity was fpund to be 67% for influenza B virus and 89% for the detection of influenza B virus. Results are comparable to those reported in the literature and by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).