Chiu Shu-Chun, Lin Yung-Cheng, Wang Hsiao-Chi, Hsu Jen-Jen, Yeh Ting-Kai, Liu Hsin-Fu, Lin Jih-Hui
Center of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan, Taipei 11561, Taiwan.
Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 25160, Taiwan.
Int J Infect Dis. 2017 Aug;61:97-102. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2017.06.011. Epub 2017 Jun 15.
To improve diagnosis as part of laboratory surveillance in Taiwan, influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance was conducted using a new multiplex PCR assay (FilmArray) and the results compared to those of conventional methods The study was performed during the winter months.
Throat swabs from patients with an ILI presenting to physicians in sentinel practices were collected during the 2016-2017 influenza season.
A total of 52 samples tested positive by FilmArray Respiratory Panel. Forty percent were influenza A virus, and subtype H3N2 virus was the major epidemic strain. However, nearly 60% of ILI cases seen at sentinel sites were caused by non-influenza pathogens. The results of the FilmArray assay and cell culture were identical, and this assay was more sensitive than a rapid influenza diagnostic test. Genetic analyses revealed new influenza A H3N2 variants belonging to a novel subclade 3C.2a2.
The FilmArray assay facilitates urgent testing and laboratory surveillance for common viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. This study demonstrated the use of a highly sensitive assay using clinical samples that is feasible for application worldwide. This may lead to an increased rate of diagnosis of viral infections and to improved patient outcomes, and in particular to a reduction in the overuse of antibiotics and antivirals.
为改进台湾地区实验室监测中的诊断工作，采用一种新型多重聚合酶链反应检测法（FilmArray）开展流感样疾病（ILI）监测，并将结果与传统方法的结果进行比较。该研究在冬季进行。
在2016 - 2017年流感季节收集来自哨点医疗机构中出现ILI症状的患者的咽拭子。
FilmArray呼吸道检测板共检测出52份阳性样本。40%为甲型流感病毒，其中H3N2病毒亚型是主要流行毒株。然而，哨点监测到的ILI病例中近60%由非流感病原体引起。FilmArray检测法与细胞培养结果一致，且该检测法比快速流感诊断检测更灵敏。基因分析揭示了属于新型亚分支3C.2a2的新型甲型H3N2流感病毒变异株。
FilmArray检测法有助于对常见病毒和细菌呼吸道病原体进行快速检测及实验室监测。本研究证明了使用一种对临床样本高度灵敏的检测法在全球范围内应用是可行的。这可能会提高病毒感染的诊断率，改善患者预后，尤其是减少抗生素和抗病毒药物的过度使用。
