Influenza A and B Antibodies, Quantitative

Sample type:

Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube

Serum

Uses:

Detect antibodies to influenza A and B

Precautions:

Collect specimens as early in the illness as possible (ideally less than 4 days from illness onset).

Follow manufacturer’s instructions, including acceptable specimens, and handling.

Follow-up negative results with confirmatory tests (RT-PCR or viral culture) if a laboratory-confirmed influenza diagnosis is desired.

Interfering Factors:

1) Clinical signs and symptoms consistent with influenza

Having clinical signs and symptoms consistent with influenza increases the pre-test probability of influenza virus infection, which increases the reliability of a positive influenza A and B antibodies result.

2) Influenza activity varies seasonally, which directly affects the predictive values of influenza A and B Ab test.

3) Time from illness onset to collection of respiratory specimens for testing

4) Testing specimens collected within 3-4 days of illness onset (when influenza viral shedding is highest) is more likely to yield positive influenza A and B (ab) results if the patient has influenza.

Pre analytical errors:

1- Incorrect Analysis ordered

2- Patients identification error

3- Sample collection errors

Corrective action:

1- Using appropriate technology.

2- Monitoring quality indicators in the lab.

3- Choosing appropriate products.

Post analytical errors:

1- Report delayed

2- Not all requested tests done

3- Sharing the results of patients or writing the result incorrectly.

Corrective action:

1- Done Accurate Reports after doing tests

2- Assure that the prescribed preventive maintenance for the instruments is performed

3- Attention when delivered the results of patient and write them in the reports

Reference range:

0.89 IV or less: Negative.