Direct Influenza A and B Antigen (EIA) Test / Collection Guidelines

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Laboratory Manual

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Direct Influenza A and B Antigen Test
Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection Guidelines

Nasopharyngeal Swab Method (NP)

Materials:
2 Copan flocked swabs
PBS media (clear) – For direct Influenza A/B antigen testing
M4-RT media (pink) – For viral culture

Insert the first flocked swab into one nostril.

For NP method
Insert the swab flat and push forward with gentle downward pressure on the lower nasal floor to the posterior wall of the naspharynx and rotate for a few seconds to collect cellular material.

Withdraw swab and place it into the PBS media (clear).
Repeat the same collection procedure using the second flocked swab into the other nostril.
Place the second collected swab into the M4-RT media (pink).
Send both collected swab samples with ice-paks to BIDMC Microbiology Lab (East campus, Rabb 350).
Check off the following tests on the POE or lab requisition:

Direct Influenza A antigen test

Direct Influenza B antigen test

Viral culture

For any questions concerning the collection of specimen or testing, please call Virology at 617-667-3018 (Monday to Friday 7am to 5pm) or the Microbiology Lab at 617-667-2307 and ask to be connected to virology or page the microbiology resident (617-632-PAGE, pager 30004) or lab directors (pager 30007. Collections kits may be obtained by contacting the virology laboratory at the same telephone number.

N.B.

Nasopharyngeal aspirate is the sample of choice for highest sensitivity in the detection of direct Influenza A/B antigen. Please note, patients may be sent to BIDMC for a nasopharyngeal aspirate by prior arrangement with Interventional Pulmonology at 617-632-8251. The nasopharyngeal swab option is provided as an alternative method when the collection of a nasopharyngeal aspirate is not feasible. Since the nasopharyngeal swab specimen may be less sensitive for detection of influenza, a negative result on a nasopharyngeal swab should be interpreted with caution. Concomitant submission of a viral culture is therefore also recommended to enhance detection.

Reviewed/revised 2/15/2008