Point-of-care testing
Point of care testing (PoCT) in Microbiology is used for rapid testing for Influenza A/B virus.
This is done by the following wards, but is overseen by Microbiology at Oxford University Hospitals:
John Radcliffe Hospital
- Emergency Department
- Emergency Assessment Unit
- Ambulatory Assessment Unit
Horton General Hospital
- Emergency Department
- Laburnum Ward
PoCT is also used in the laboratory for patients not from these clinical areas.
For patients from areas which do carry this test, patients with a negative result should send a specimen to the lab for an additional Influenza and RSV test (FRAB).
Specimen requirements
Influenza A/B
- Nasal Swab in Copan UTM
- Nasopharyngeal wash
- Nasopharyngeal aspirate
Laboratory turnaround time
Please refer to the Microbiology Laboratory Users Manual (pdf, 684 KB).
Laboratory method
An immunoassay that can detect influenza virus nucleoproteins via antibody-antigen fluorescence particle complexes is used, i.e. Standard F influenza A/B FIA. It has two test lines which are coated with monoclonal anti-influenza A and anti-influenza B antibodies and a control line coated with polyclonal mouse IgG is also present.
Patient samples are added to the sample well of the test device and will migrate along a membrane. If specific influenza A/B antigen is present it will react with the specific conjugated monoclonal anti-A/B forming antibody-antigen specific fluorescence complexes.
These complexes will migrate further along the pad where they are captured by a specific influenza A/B antibody on a test line this will make a fluorescence signal. The intensity of the fluorescence signal is read by the F200 analyser and a result given.
Where to find results of these tests
- All results are returned electronically where possible (EPR, SunquestICE).
- Some results may be phoned to clinicians and GPs.
- Results are never given directly to patients by the laboratory staff.
Further information and contact details
For further information please email:
microbiology.advice.ouh@nhs.net
Confidential patient information should only be sent from nhs.net accounts.