Performance of the Alere i influenza A&B assay and mariPOC test for the rapid detection of influenza A and B viruses

Background: Timely detection of influenza viruses is required to facilitate infection control measures and appropriate patient management. The Alere (TM) i Influenza A&B assay for detection of viral RNA and multianalyte mariPOC (R) test for detection of viral antigens enable rapid detection of influenza viruses with little hands-on time. Objectives: To evaluate the performance of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay and the mariPOC test in comparison to the Xpert (R) Flu A/B assay and laboratory-developed real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Study design: A total of 140 and 108 nasopharyngeal specimens were analysed for evaluation of the Alere i and mariPOC, respectively. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the Alere i Influenza A&B assay for detection of influenza A virus was 80.0% and 98.1%, and for influenza B virus 45.2% and 98.2%, respectively. For the mariPOC test, a sensitivity and specificity of 53.1% and 98.7%, respectively, for detection of influenza A virus was achieved. Conclusions: The mariPOC test proved insensitive for detection of influenza A virus and therefore unsuitable for individual patient diagnosis without confirmatory testing. In contrast, the Alere i Influenza A&B assay was reasonably sensitive and specific for detection of influenza A and B virus, although decreased detection of specimens with low viral load was observed particularly for detection of influenza B virus. Taken together with its rapidity and ease of use, the Alere i influenza A&B assay is a welcome alternative to immunochromatographic rapid influenza detection tests and may provide timely results that enable appropriate patient care and management of patient flow during high-prevalence seasons. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.