BinaxNOW® - an immunochromatographic test for the diagnosis of human influenza viruses: comparison with viral culture and polymerase chain reaction

Indian J Med Microbiol. 2011 Jan-Mar;29(1):19-21. doi: 10.4103/0255-0857.76518.

Abstract

Purpose: A rapid test for influenza viruses (Binax NOW® ) was evaluated.

Materials and methods: In season-1, 35 respiratory samples were tested retrospectively; in season-2, 45 samples were tested prospectively [gold-standard: viral culture in season-1, culture+ reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in season-2].

Results: Sensitivity for Binax for influenza A was 59.3 and 0% in season-1 and -2, respectively. Sensitivity was low for influenza B (33.3% in season-1, 26.1% in season-2). Samples having low viral load were more likely to have a negative Binax test. Specificity of Binax was high (100 and 94.7% with influenza A and B, respectively).

Conclusion: Sensitivity information provided in the kit insert does not always reflect post licensure performance in clinical settings.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Influenza, Human / virology
  • Orthomyxoviridae / classification
  • Orthomyxoviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Virology / methods*
  • Virus Cultivation / methods

Substances

  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic