Influenza A and B viruses are responsible for respiratory epidemics each year. Influenza A Viruses are categorized by their surface proteins: Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (N). Since Influenza B viruses are structurally different, they are only broken down into two lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria (CDC, 2017).

The Delaware Public Health Lab performs influenza identification, molecular detection, and genotyping/subtyping. Influenza surveillance is performed as part of the CDC-World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza surveillance effort. This information, along with a select number of isolates, is provided to CDC and the WHO to aid in surveillance efforts and future vaccine formulation. THE INFLUENZA VACCINE IS NOT A GUESS!

What We Do

• Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR)
• Influenza A subtyping by rRT-PCR
• Influenza B genotyping
• Seasonal H3N2 detection  
• 2009/H1N1 Pandemic detection
• H5N1 Avian (presumptive result)
• H3N2 variant (presumptive result)
• H7N9 (presumptive result)
• H7N9 (presumptive result)
• Pyrosequencing – for anti-viral resistance on a subset of A/H3N2 and pandemic A/H1N1 influenza specimens
• Respiratory Virus Panel (RVP) – For outbreaks, fatalities, or specimens (with prior approval from the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Acceptable Specimens

• Nasopharyngeal washes, nasopharyngeal aspirates, nasopharyngeal swabs
• nasal or throat swabs, dual throat/nasal swabs
• bronchial washes, bronchoalveolar lavage
• lung tissue (this includes lung biopsy, bronchial biopsy, and post mortem lung specimens)
• sputum
• viral culture isolates
• Collection Kit here: Herpes\Viral\Flu\Pertussis Collection kit-Instructions

Submitting a Specimen

• Obtain collection kits 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 with name of patient and date of birth (or barcode, if applicable).
• Arrange for specimen transport to the laboratory.

DPH Flu Immunization Information

CDC Flu Page

CDC Guidelines for Clinicians on the Use of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests

References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017. Types of Influenza Viruses.

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