Evaluation of a new rapid diagnostic test for the detection of influenza and RSV

Introduction: Influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause an acute respiratory disease that occurs seasonally in epidemic waves. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the Sofia (R) Influenza A + B and the Sofia (R) RSV fluorescence immunoassays (FIAs), two novel rapid detection tests (RDTs) for influenza A and B and RSV. Methods: Two hundred and nine breath samples were selected from patients with respiratory symptoms determined to be positive negative for influenza A, influenza B or RSV using one of the reference diagnostic techniques, cell culture and/or RT-PCR (Simplexa (TM) Flu AFB & RSV). The Sofia Influenza A + B FIA was tested on 123 samples (63 from children and 60 from adults) and the Sofia RSV FIA was tested on 86 pediatric samples. Sensitivity and specificity values of both assays were calculated assuming the reference techniques as the gold standard. Results: Sensitivity and specificity values for the Sofia Influenza A + B FIA were 73.1% and 97.8%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values for the Sofia RSV FIA were 87.5% and 86.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The sensitivity results obtained for the two assays were considerably higher than those reported for other RDTs. In conclusion, the Sofia Influenza A + B and the Sofia RSV FIAs are appropriate tools for the rapid diagnosis of these viruses. (C) 2015 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. and Sociedad Espanola de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica. All rights reserved.