New data from S. Bolotin et al illuminate research in influenza.(Report)

According to a study from Toronto, Canada, "The increase in adamantine resistance in influenza A (H3N2) and the emergence of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A (H1N1) has necessitated the use of rapid methodologies to detect influenza subtype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CombiMatrix influenza detection system compared to the FDA approved Luminex Respiratory virus panel (RVP) assay for influenza A subtyping."

"Verification of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was carried out using the Luminex RVP assay as a reference method. A limit of detection (LOD) series was performed using the Luminex and CombiMatrix systems with both influenza A H3N2 and H1N1 viruses. Seventy-five clinical specimens were used in the study. Of these, 16 were influenza A (H3N2) positive and five were influenza A ( H1N1) positive. Fifty-four specimens were influenza A negative or ''no call'' (inconclusive) or could not be subtyped. The LOD of the Luminex RVP assay was found to be 0.3 TCID(50)s/mL for influenza A (H3N2) and 16 TCID(50)s/mL for influenza A (H1N1). The LOD of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was 200 TCID(50)s/mL for influenza A (H3N2) and 16000 TCID(50)s/mL for influenza A (H1N1). The sensitivity of the CombiMatrix influenza detection system was 95.2% and ...