Diagnostic Accuracy of Novel and Traditional Rapid Tests for Influenza Infection Compared With Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis -

Diagnostic Accuracy of Novel and Traditional Rapid Tests for Influenza Infection Compared With Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Information type: Systematic reviews
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine
Specialities: Infection and infectious diseases
Summary
Review of 162 studies found that novel digital immunoassays and rapid nucleic acid amplification tests had markedly higher sensitivities for influenza A and B in both children and adults than did traditional rapid influenza diagnostic tests.
UKMi comment
An editorial discusses this research. Although studies are needed to confirm the utility of these assays in the point-of-care setting and to optimise their implementation and use, the strength of the data suggests that now is the time to utilise these newer tests to help clinicians make better antimicrobial choices for patients with influenza infection.
Related links: Editorial