Diagnostic performances of the Xpert ® Flu PCR test and the OSOM® immunochromatographic rapid test for influenza A and B virus among adult patients in the Emergency Department

Respiratory viruses are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in both children and adults [1]. The predictive value of symptoms and clinical signs for the diagnosis of influenza is very low, regardless of the viral strain involved [2 –6]. Early implementation of antiviral treatment and isolation measures depend on rapid diagnosis of influenza [7–10]. Moreover, the use of testing for respiratory viruses within the ED in adults was recently associated with shorter duration of antibiotics and length of stay [8].

Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - December 13, 2017 Category: Virology Authors: Stephanie Antoniol, Nadhira Fidouh, Aiham Ghazali, Houria Ichou, Donia Bouzid, Philippe Kenway, Christophe Choquet, Benoit Visseaux, Enrique Casalino, the Emergency Department study group on respiratory viruses Source Type: research