Strain dependent sensitivity of influenza B detection using the multiplex bead array based detection XTAGTM Respiratory Virus Panel

Session III – Widjaja, Susana

Title of Contribution: Strain dependent sensitivity of influenza B detection using the  multiplex bead array based detection XTAGTM Respiratory Virus Panel

Author(s): Susana Widjaja1, Maya Williams1, Herman Kosasih1, Ungke A Jaya1, Chairin Maroef1, Nurhayati1, Gary Brice1, Ika Susanti1, Timothy H. Burgess 2and Patrick J Blair3

Affiliation(s): 1Naval Medical Research Unit Two, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2 Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, 3Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California

Abstract:
The multiplex bead array based detection XTAGTM Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) allows for high throughput screening for ninteen respiratory virus targets including influenza A, H1, H3, H5 and B.  In order to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the RVP with respect to influenza, 169 samples collected as part of influenza-like illness surveillance in Indonesia that were identified as influenza positive by multiplex real-time RT-PCR were tested.  These samples were comprised of 34 influenza A/H1, 66 A/H3 and 69 influenza B.   The RVP was able to identify all of the influenza A/H1 and A/H3 samples tested.  However, although the specificity of the RVP for influenza B was 100%, the overall sensitivity was 39% (27/69), and varied depending upon the strain. Of the six strains examined, the best sensitivity was observed with influenza B/Ohio/01/2005 (12/16, 75%) and the worst sensitivity was observed with influenza B/Hongkong/1434/2002 (0/5, 0%).  The ability of the RVP to detect other viral pathogens revealed entero-rhinovirus as the most common co-infected virus (7.2 % with influenza A/H3 or B), followed by parainfluenza-4 and coronavirus 229 (both 0.6%).  There was no significant difference in the distribution of co-infection agents in children or adults. Furthermore, co-infections did not result in more severe cases clinically.  While the RVP had excellent sensitivity for the influenza A samples examined, the sensitivity for the influenza B samples was poor and strain dependent.  Further analysis should be conducted in order to expand upon these findings.