A novel electrochemical device to differentiate pandemic (H1N1) 2009 from seasonal influenza

BACKGROUND One of the challenges of the recent pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza outbreak was to differentiate the virus from seasonal influenza when confronting clinical cases. The determination of the virus has implications on treatment choice, and obvious epidemiologic significance. OBJECTIVES We set out to apply a novel electrochemical device to samples derived from clinical cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to examine the ability of the device to differentiate these samples from cases of seasonal influenza. PATIENTS/METHODS An IRB approved protocol allowed for the use of original nasal wash samples from 24 confirmed human cases pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. Clinical samples from cases of seasonal influenza (Influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B) were included as controls. Nucleic acids were extracted and samples examined by the ElectraSense Influenza A assay (CombiMatrix, Inc). Samples were also examined by RT-PCR or Luminex assays as a comparator. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The ElectraSense Influenza A assay correctly identified 23 of 24 samples of laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza. The assay correctly identified all samples of influenza A/H1N1 and A/H3N2, and differentiated these from pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza in all cases. The ElectraSense Influenza A assay proved to be a useful assay to quickly and accurately differentiate pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza from seasonal influenza.