COMPARING INFLUENZA POSITIVITY RATES BY REAL-TIME RT-PCR, ELISA AND VIRAL CULTURE METHODS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE, WEST AFRICA, IN 2009

Authors

  • Ndahwouh Talla Nzussouo US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Influenza Division (CDC) US Naval Medical Research Unit-3, GDDRP (NAMRU-3)
  • Herve Adje Kadjo Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire
  • Daouda Coulibaly Institut National d'Hygiene Publique, Cote d'Ivoire
  • Euloge Ekaza Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire
  • Bertin Kouakou Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire
  • David Coulibaly N'Golo Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire
  • Stefano Tempia National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa
  • Richard Davis US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Mireille Dosso Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire
  • Mark Thompson US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Keywords:

Influenza, patients, rRT-PCR, ELISA, viral culture, Africa

Abstract

Detection of circulating influenza strains is a key public health concern especially in limited-resource settings where diagnosis capabilities remain a challenge. As part of multi-site surveillance in Côte d’Ivoire during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, we had the opportunity to test respiratory specimens collected from patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI). We analyzed and compared the percentage of specimens testing positive using three laboratory methods (rtRT-PCR, ELISA, viral culture). From January to October 2009, 1,356 respiratory specimens were collected from patients with acute respiratory illness and shipped at the WHO NIC (Institut Pasteur) Cote d’Ivoire, and 453 (33%) tested positive for influenza by one or more laboratory methods. The proportion of positive influenza tests did not differ by the sex or age of the patient or presenting symptoms, but did differ depending on the timing and site of specimen collection. Of the 453 positive specimens, 424 (93.6%) were detected by PCR, 199 (43.9%) by ELISA and 40 (8.8%) by viral culture. While seasonal influenza A(H1N1) virus strains were prominent, only four 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases were detected. Use of molecular biology method (rtRT-PCR) increased sensitivity and diagnosis capabilities. Among all three methods used, rRT-PCR was the most sensitive and rapid method. More capacity building is still required for viral culture. Need to collect denominator data in order to have an accurate estimate of the burden of influenza. There was delayed introduction of pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 in Cote d’Ivoire

Author Biographies

Ndahwouh Talla Nzussouo, US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Influenza Division (CDC) US Naval Medical Research Unit-3, GDDRP (NAMRU-3)

Regional Avian & Pandemic Influenza Advisor-West Africa

Herve Adje Kadjo, Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

Head of the Cote d'Ivoire National Influenza Center

Daouda Coulibaly, Institut National d'Hygiene Publique, Cote d'Ivoire

Head of the Disease Surveillance Department

Euloge Ekaza, Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

Head of Molecular Biology Platform

Bertin Kouakou, Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

National Influenza Center team member

David Coulibaly N'Golo, Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

Molecular Biology Platform team member

Stefano Tempia, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa

Avian and Pandemic Influenza Advisor

Richard Davis, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

Influenza Division, AFRO Poject Officer

Mireille Dosso, Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

Director of Institut Pasteur Cote d'Ivoire

Mark Thompson, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Influenza Division, Epidemiologist

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Published

2013-08-05

How to Cite

Talla Nzussouo, N., Adje Kadjo, H., Coulibaly, D., Ekaza, E., Kouakou, B., Coulibaly N’Golo, D., Tempia, S., Davis, R., Dosso, M., & Thompson, M. (2013). COMPARING INFLUENZA POSITIVITY RATES BY REAL-TIME RT-PCR, ELISA AND VIRAL CULTURE METHODS IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE, WEST AFRICA, IN 2009. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 7(2), 31–35. Retrieved from https://journals.athmsi.org/index.php/AJID/article/view/1627

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