Comparison of Types of Influenza Diagnostic Tests
| Influenza Diagnostic Test . | Method . | Availability . | Typical Processing Time . | Sensitivity . | Distinguishing Subtype Strains of Influenza A . | Cost . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid influenza diagnostic tests | Antigen detection | Wide | <30 min | 10%–80% | No | $ |
| Direct and indirect immunofluorescence assays | Antigen detection | Wide | 1–4 h | 70%–100% | No | $ |
| Viral cell culture | Virus isolation | Limited | 3–10 d | 100% | Yes | $$ |
| Rapid cell culture (shell vials and cell mixtures) | Virus isolation | Limited | 1–3 d | 100% | Yes | $$ |
| Nucleic acid amplification tests (including rRT-PCR) | RNA detection | Limited | 1–6 h | 86%–100% | Yes | $$$ |
| Rapid influenza molecular assays | RNA detection | Wide | <15 min | 86%–100% | No | $$$ |
| Influenza Diagnostic Test . | Method . | Availability . | Typical Processing Time . | Sensitivity . | Distinguishing Subtype Strains of Influenza A . | Cost . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid influenza diagnostic tests | Antigen detection | Wide | <30 min | 10%–80% | No | $ |
| Direct and indirect immunofluorescence assays | Antigen detection | Wide | 1–4 h | 70%–100% | No | $ |
| Viral cell culture | Virus isolation | Limited | 3–10 d | 100% | Yes | $$ |
| Rapid cell culture (shell vials and cell mixtures) | Virus isolation | Limited | 1–3 d | 100% | Yes | $$ |
| Nucleic acid amplification tests (including rRT-PCR) | RNA detection | Limited | 1–6 h | 86%–100% | Yes | $$$ |
| Rapid influenza molecular assays | RNA detection | Wide | <15 min | 86%–100% | No | $$$ |
Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidance for clinicians on the use of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. Available at: www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm. Accessed June 30, 2015.