Key result
The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test had low sensitivity (median 27%, range 19-32%) but high specificity (median 97%, range 96-99.6%) compared with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
Why the study?
Does the QuickVue Influenza A+B Test accurately diagnose influenza compared to RT-PCR in persons with influenza-like illness?
Does the QuickVue Influenza A+B Test accurately diagnose influenza compared to RT-PCR in persons with influenza-like illness?
The QuickVue Influenza A+B rapid diagnostic test has low sensitivity but high specificity for detecting influenza compared to RT-PCR.
Negative rapid influenza tests should not exclude disease; cross-sectional data leaves open real-world utility versus RT-PCR.
The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test (Quidel) was used to test nasal swab specimens obtained from persons with influenza-like illness in 3 different populations. Compared with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, the test sensitivity was low for all populations (median, 27%; range, 19%-32%), whereas the specificity was high (median, 97%; range, 96%-99.6%).
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Uyeki et al. (2009) studied this question. The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test had low sensitivity (median 27%, range 19-32%) but high specificity (median 97%, range 96-99.6%) compared with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
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