Choosing the right flu test
Researchers provide the evidence
The two common diagnostic tests for influenza are equally accurate however clinicians are unnecessarily ordering both tests together in hospital.
The new study from Macquarie University is the first in the world to compare the performance of Xpert® Flu/RSV against AllplexTM RP1 in detecting three respiratory viruses (influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial viruses) in clinical practice.
“Clinicians can now confidently choose just one of the tests, saving hospital and laboratory resources,” said lead researcher Dr Nasir Wabe from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University.
In the first six months of this year, more than 685,000 influenza tests were performed in NSW. The Xpert® Flu/RSV, known as the Rapid Flu test, delivers results within four hours while the AllplexTM RP1 test delivers results within one to four days.
If it is suspected that a person has influenza and rapid results are required, clinicians can confidently order the Xpert® test and have results within four hours and therefore begin treatment sooner, limit the unnecessary use of recourses and reduce the patient’s time in hospital, Dr Wabe explained.
If testing for other viruses, along with influenza, is required then a clinician may order the AllplexTM RP1 test.
“This test can not only identify the strain of influenza but also up to 16 other viruses if used with similar panels (i.e .AllplexTM RP2/3),” said Dr Wabe.
In 2017, 192 people died of influenza nationally. Deaths from influenza this year are significantly lower than in previous years, due to the precautions people are taking to avoid COVID-19 infection, however testing remains important for diagnosis and to prevent the spread of infection, said Dr Wabe.
Journal article: Wabe N, Lindeman R, Post JJ, Rawlinson W, Miao M, Westbrook J, Georgiou A. Cepheid Xpert® Flu/RSV and Seegene Allplex™ RP1 show high diagnostic agreement for the detection of influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial viruses in clinical practice [published online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 20]. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2020;10.1111/irv.12799. doi:10.1111/irv.12799
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