Abstract 992
Poster Session IV, Tuesday, 5/4 (poster 143)
The performance of a prototype version of a new rapid test that simultaneously detects influenza A and B virus by a novel neuraminidase assay was evaluated from 12/19/97 to 4/13/98 in 196 samples from patients suspected to have influenza. Samples were evaluated at two clinical sites: a private pediatric practice (site 1) and Texas Children's Hospital (site 2). Viral culture was positive in 86 (44%) of the 196 samples: 43 influenza A, 8 influenza B, 16 adenovirus, 6 respiratory syncytial virus, 5 enterovirus, 5 rhinovirus, 3 cytomeglovirus. Symptoms from patients at site 1 were compared between three groups, according to the virus isolated: influenza virus (n=36), non-influenza virus (n=22), and no virus isolated (n=45). Only headache and sore throat were significantly associated with influenza infection as compared to the group where no virus was isolated (p=0.02). There was no difference between the three groups in the proportion of patients presenting with fever, malaise, myalgias, nausea, cervical adenopathy, rhinorrea, vomiting, fatigue, cough, chills, or of those that had received influenza vaccine. The performance of the test at both sites compared to viral culture was: (Table)
