Influenza Testing

The Delaware Public Health Lab performs influenza virus isolation, identification, molecular detection and subtyping. Influenza surveillance is performed as part of the CDC-World Health Organization Influenza surveillance effort. Each year sentinel physicians and other submitters from across the state are provided with specimen collection kits, submission forms, and specific instructions for patient selection and specimen collection, storage, and transport. Influenza viruses that are identified through this program are subtyped to determine the strain(s) of influenza that are circulating in the community. This information, along with a select number of isolates, is provided to CDC and the WHO to be compiled with surveillance data from laboratories around the world.

Tests Offered

• Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)
• Influenza A subtyping by rRT-PCR (A/H1, A/H1N1, A/H3, A/H5N1)
• Shell Vial Testing with Immunofluorescent Antibody Confirmation (IFA)

Acceptable Specimens

• Nasopharyngeal washes, nasopharyngeal aspirates, nasopharyngeal swabs, nasal swabs, throat swabs, dual throat/nasal swabs, bronchial washes, bronchoalveolar lavages and lung tissue (this includes lung biopsy, bronchial biopsy, and post mortem lung specimens), sputum, viral culture isolates
• INFLUENZA Virus Collection Kit - Instructions

Submitting a Specimen

• Obtain Influenza Virus Detection kit from the DPHL. This kit will contain a tube with viral transport media and two dry NP swabs, and the Request for Clinical Testing form.
• Fill out the form completely.
• Label the specimen appropriately.
• Arrange for specimen transport to the laboratory.

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