Influenza A (H1N1) Rapid Test

Product Description

INTENDED USE
One Step Influenza A Test is a rapid qualitative assay that detects influenza type A (including the subtype H1N1) nucleoprotein antigen extracted from the nasal swab specimen. The device is used to aid in the diagnosis of influenza type A infection.

SUMMARY
Influenza (commonly known as 'flu') is a highly contagious, acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is a communicable disease that is easily transmitted through the coughing and sneezing of aerosolized droplets containing live virus. Influenza outbreaks occur each year during the autumn and winter months. There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C. Only influenza A viruses are further classified by subtype on the basis of the two main surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Influenza A subtypes and B viruses are further classified by strains.
Humans can be infected with influenza types A, B, and C viruses. Subtypes of influenza A that are currently circulating among people worldwide include H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2 viruses. Influenza B viruses can cause morbidity and mortality among humans, but in general are associated with less severe epidemics than influenza A viruses. Although influenza type B viruses can cause human epidemics, they have not caused pandemics. Influenza type C viruses cause mild illness in humans and do not cause epidemics or pandemics.

PRINCIPLE
One Step Influenza A Test is a rapid immunochromatographic test for the visual detection of influenza type A antigen (nucleoprotein) extracted from the nasal swab specimen. The test adopts double antibody sandwich method.

When the extracted specimen is added into the test device, the specimen is absorbed into the device by capillary action, mixes with antibody-dye conjugate, and flows across the membrane pre-coated with influenza type A monoclonal antibody.

When the influenza type A antigen levels are at or above the target cutoff (the detection limit of the test), type A antigen in the specimen binds to the specific antibody-dye conjugate and are captured by influenza type A monoclonal antibody immobilized in the relative site of test region "T" of the device. This produces a colored test band in the test region. When the influenza type A antigen levels are zero or below the target cut off, there is not a visible colored band in the test region of the device. This indicates a negative result for influenza type A.