A comparative evaluation of seven commercial human influenza virus antigen detection kits for the diagnosis of equine influenza.
Abstract: Equine influenza virus (EIV) is one of the most important pathogens causing respiratory signs in equids. Rapid antigen detection (RAD) kits are useful for point-of-care testing because they are user-friendly and provide fast results. Although sensitive and broad-reactive RAD kits are needed for controlling horse movement, no RAD kits specified for EIV are available. Objective: This study evaluated the usefulness of seven RAD kits originally developed for human influenza and available in Japan during 2023-2024 for EIV antigen detection. Methods: Experimental assay comparison. Methods: The detection limits of each RAD kit were determined using five-fold serial dilutions of two H3N8 EIV strains. According to the results of the detection limits, the three most sensitive RAD kits (Quick Chaser Auto Flu A, B, Finevision Influenza, and RapidTesta Flu·NEXT) were further evaluated using nasopharyngeal swabs of horses experimentally infected with EIV. Results: With reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) as a reference assay, the sensitivities of Quick Chaser Auto Flu A, B, RapidTesta Flu·NEXT, and Finevision Influenza were 63%, 61%, and 54%, respectively. Conclusions: Samples from naturally infected horses were not tested. Conclusions: Since the sensitivities for detecting EIV antigens vary, choosing the appropriate RAD kits is essential. Although RAD kits are less sensitive than RT-qPCR, RAD kits are useful for detecting EIV antigens as ancillary diagnostic tools in the field.
© 2025 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2025-03-24 PubMed ID: 40123472DOI: 10.1111/evj.14500Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study evaluates the effectiveness of seven commercial rapid antigen detection (RAD) kits, originally developed for human influenza, in identifying equine influenza virus (EIV). The tests were chosen based on their sensitivity to EIV, and although less sensitive than the gold standard reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the RAD kits proved to be a quick and useful tool in EIV detection.
Objective
- The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of seven commercial RAD kits specifically developed for human influenza in detecting EIV.
- Since no specific RAD kits are available for EIV as of yet, and its control necessitates quick and accurate detection, the researchers tested commercially available kits.
Methods
- An experimental assay comparison was conducted to determine the sensitivity of the RAD kits. The detection limits were found through a five-fold serial dilution of two H3N8 EIV strains.
- Three of the kits with the highest sensitivity were further tested using nasopharyngeal swabs of horses that were experimentally infected with EIV.
Results
- With RT-qPCR being the reference assay, the three most sensitive kits – Quick Chaser Auto Flu A, B, RapidTesta Flu·NEXT, and Finevision Influenza displayed sensitivities of 63%, 61%, and 54%, respectively.
- It’s important to note that samples from horses naturally infected with EIV were not tested in this study.
Conclusions
- The sensitivities of the RAD kits in detecting EIV varied extensively, rendering the selection of an appropriate kit crucial.
- While the RAD kits were less sensitive than RT-qPCR, they still provide an auxiliary role in EIV antigen detection, especially valuable for field diagnostics.
Cite This Article
APA
Kawanishi N, Kinoshita Y, Reedy SE, Garvey M, Kambayashi Y, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T, Cullinane A, Chambers TM, Nemoto M.
(2025).
A comparative evaluation of seven commercial human influenza virus antigen detection kits for the diagnosis of equine influenza.
Equine Vet J.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14500 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
- Virology Unit, Irish Equine Centre, Kildare, Ireland.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
- Virology Unit, Irish Equine Centre, Kildare, Ireland.
- Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
Grant Funding
- KY14067 / Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station
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