Influenza is an acute viral infection that occurs in outbreaks of varying severity mainly during the winter in temperate regions and year-round in the tropics.
Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations
| Test name: Respiratory Viruses DFA with Reflex to Respiratory Virus Mini Panel by RT-PCR |
| ARUP #: 2002565 |
| Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
| Use: Rapid detection of respiratory viruses If DFA is negative or inadequate for influenza, respiratory virus mini panel by RT-PCR will be added |
| Limitations: DFA is specific and sensitive in children may not be as sensitive in adults Sensitivity of DFA is dependent upon adequacy of specimen; if <20 cells, DFA will be reported as inadequate |
| Test name: Respiratory Viruses DFA with Reflex to Viral Culture |
| ARUP #: 0060281 |
| Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
| Use: Rapid detection of common respiratory viruses |
| Limitations: DFA is specific and sensitive in children may not be as sensitive in adults |
| Test name: Respiratory Virus Mini Panel by RT-PCR |
| ARUP #: 0060764 |
| Methodology: Qualitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Detect influenza A & B and RSV |
| Limitations: May be less sensitive in children |
| Test name: Influenza Virus A & B DFA with Reflex to Influenza Virus A & B Rapid Culture |
| ARUP #: 0060284 |
| Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
| Use: Rapid detection of influenza If DFA negative, culture is added |
| Limitations: Culture less sensitive than PCR |
| Test name: Influenza Virus A & B DFA with Reflex to Respiratory Virus Mini Panel by RT-PCR |
| ARUP #: 2002643 |
| Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
| Use: Rapid detection of influenza and RSV |
| Limitations: DFA is specific and sensitive in children; may not be as sensitive in adults |
| Test name: Influenza A H1N1 (2009) Detection by RT-PCR |
| ARUP #: 2004217 |
| Methodology: Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Identify 2009 H1N1 subtype in documented influenza A cases |
| Limitations: Must sample from lower respiratory tract to maximize sensitivity |
| Test name: Influenza Virus A & B Rapid Culture |
| ARUP #: 0060286 |
| Methodology: Cell Culture/Immunofluorescence |
| Comments: Diagnosis of influenza Culture less sensitive than PCR |
| Test name: Respiratory Viruses Rapid Culture |
| ARUP #: 2001504 |
| Methodology: Cell Culture/Immunofluorescence |
| Comments: Isolates other respiratory viruses, including influenza A and B; parainfluenza types 1,2,3; adenovirus; and RSV |
| Test name: Respiratory Viruses DFA |
| ARUP #: 0060289 |
| Methodology: Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain |
| Comments: Tests other common respiratory viruses; can help diagnose other causes of influenza-like illness Lower sensitivity for H1N1 type |
| Test name: Influenza A Virus Antibody, IgG |
| ARUP #: 0051074 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Requires paired serum samples to be clinically informative |
| Test name: Influenza A Virus Antibody, IgM |
| ARUP #: 0051081 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Antibodies appear ~2 weeks after initial inoculation |
| Test name: Influenza B Virus Antibody, IgG |
| ARUP #: 0051080 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Requires paired serum samples to be clinically informative |
| Test name: Influenza B Virus Antibody, IgM |
| ARUP #: 0051079 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Antibodies appear ~2 weeks after initial incoulation |
| Test name: Influenza A & B Virus Antibodies, IgG & IgM |
| ARUP #: 0051069 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Antibodies appear ~2 weeks after initial incoulation |
| Test name: Influenza A Virus Antibodies, IgG & IgM |
| ARUP #: 2004421 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Antibodies appear ~2 weeks after initial incoulation |
| Test name: Influenza B Virus Antibodies, IgG & IgM |
| ARUP #: 2004422 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| Comments: Antibodies appear ~2 weeks after initial incoulation |