Abstract Title
Detection of non-seasonal influenza viruses using near point of care diagnostic platforms: BioFire FilmArray and Cepheid GenXpert.
Abstract
Throughout history influenza virus has captured the attention of public health authorities as a pandemic threat. Zoonotic influenzas are of particular concern as the animal to human interface continues to increase. As observed with the current avian influenza H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) virus, which has established itself in wild birds and caused outbreaks in commercial farms affecting both animal and humans in North America.
Near point of care devices, such as the BioFire FilmArray and Cepheid GenXpert are in hospitals and laboratories across Canada and in particular in northern, remote and isolated areas of the country to build capacity to detect various respiratory viruses.
We assessed the capability of the BioFire® Respiratory 2.1 Panel and the Cepheid Xpert® Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus kit to effectively detect the presence of non-seasonal influenza A viruses. The limit of detection of ten different zoonotic influenza strains and one seasonal strain, representing 7 different subtypes was determined using clinically contrived nasal swab samples and saliva samples. Both platforms were able to detect influenza A in all of the strains tested with limit of detection ranging between 101 and 104 copies/ml. Identification of non-seasonal subtypes was not possible using these platforms and discordant seasonal HA subtyping (H1 and H3) was not observed.
The ability of these platforms to detect these viruses, can provide a first line of screening and allow rapid triaging of suspected infected individuals to help contain and control an outbreak in humans. Specimens should be transferred to reference facilities for further analysis and confirmation.
Near point of care devices, such as the BioFire FilmArray and Cepheid GenXpert are in hospitals and laboratories across Canada and in particular in northern, remote and isolated areas of the country to build capacity to detect various respiratory viruses.
We assessed the capability of the BioFire® Respiratory 2.1 Panel and the Cepheid Xpert® Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus kit to effectively detect the presence of non-seasonal influenza A viruses. The limit of detection of ten different zoonotic influenza strains and one seasonal strain, representing 7 different subtypes was determined using clinically contrived nasal swab samples and saliva samples. Both platforms were able to detect influenza A in all of the strains tested with limit of detection ranging between 101 and 104 copies/ml. Identification of non-seasonal subtypes was not possible using these platforms and discordant seasonal HA subtyping (H1 and H3) was not observed.
The ability of these platforms to detect these viruses, can provide a first line of screening and allow rapid triaging of suspected infected individuals to help contain and control an outbreak in humans. Specimens should be transferred to reference facilities for further analysis and confirmation.
Co-Author(s)
Charlene Ranadheera1, Taeyo Chestley1, Yohannes Berhane2, Nathalie Bastien1
1National Microbiology Laboratory Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada. 1015 Arlington St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2
2 National Center for Foreign Animal Disease, Canadia food Inspection Agency. 1015 Arlington St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3R2
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health