Options for the Control of Influenza VI Evaluation of the Quidel QuickVue® Influenza A+B Kit in Detecting Avian and Swine Influenza Virus

Background: Pandemic influenza A viruses are often zoonotic. Rapid influenza virus diagnostics can play a role in reducing pandemic virus spread. However, most diagnostic tests have not been evaluated against animal influenza viruses. Objective: To evaluate a leading rapid diagnostic test against zoonotic influenza A virus strains. Study Design: We evaluated the performance of the QuickVue® Influenza A+B Kit in detecting 19 influenza A viruses of avian, human, and swine origin. Cell culture supernatant solutions were serially diluted (1:101:100,000), blanks were added, and the panel was arranged in a random order. A physician ran the 100 assays in a blinded fashion. Results: The QuickVue® Influenza A+B Kit detected every influenza A virus with no false positives. Virus detection limits varied from 2.2x10 TCID 50 /ml (AvH6N2) to 1.0x10 TCID 50 /ml (SwH1N2). The average TCID 50 /ml’s for avian, human and swine virus detections were 2.4x10, 1.7x10, and 3.5x10, respectively. Conclusion: The QuickVue® Influenza A+B Kit readily detected all influenza A viruses but the kit required a higher viral titer in detecting swine H1N2 virus. When viral titers are relatively high, the QuickVue® Influenza A+B Kit may be useful in rapidly detecting the presence of avian and swine influenza A viruses.