COMPARISON OF REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION PCR WITH TISSUE-CULTURE AND OTHERRAPID DIAGNOSTIC ASSAYS FOR DETECTION OF TYPE-A INFLUENZA-VIRUS

We applied a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay for influenza A viru s to combined nasal wash-throat swab specimens previously obtained fro m an outpatient pediatric population with acute respiratory illness du ring concurrent epidemics of influenza A virus and respiratory syncyti al virus, The results of the RT-PCR assay were compared with those pre viously reported with virus cultivation and commercially available rap id diagnostic kits (E. A. Dominguez, L. H. Taber, and R. B. Couch, J. Clin, Microbiol. 31:2286-2290, 1993). With virus cultivation as the '' gold standard,'' the RT-PCR assay had a sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of 95, 98, and 97%, respectively, compared with 75, 100, an d 93%, respectively, for the best diagnostic kit (Becton Dickinson Dir ectigen). RT-PCR is an effective alternative to virus isolation for th e detection of influenza A virus in clinical specimens.