Oxoid offers a range of diagnostic tools for the detection of respiratory disease caused by influenza virus types A and B. The Xpect Flu A&B test (pictured) detects and differentiates influenza types A and B directly from nose and throat swabs, and provides a clearly visible result that is easily interpreted in just 20 minutes. No specialised equipment or expertise is required.
The Imagen Influenza virus A and B test is a qualitative direct immunofluorescence test for the detection and differentiation of influenza A virus and influenza B virus in clinical specimens or for the confirmation and differentiation of influenza virus A and B in cell cultures. Monoclonal antibodies specific to either influenza virus types A or B virus are conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and used in a one-step direct immunofluorescence technique.
Specimens are incubated with the FITC-conjugated antibody reagents for 15 minutes. The stained areas are mounted and viewed microscopically using epifluorescence illumination. If either influenza type A or type B virus is present, the corresponding reagent produces a characteristic bright apple-green fluorescence in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the cells, which contrasts with the red background staining of uninfected cells.
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