Rapid detection and differentiation between SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B
With similar symptoms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B, healthcare professionals need to quickly determine which infection is potentially present. The SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test helps healthcare professionals at the point of care to quickly diagnose and differentiate infections with any of the three respiratory viruses and aid in pursuing appropriate courses of action, including patient and pandemic management decisions. Also, it enables scaling up test capacities during flu season to meet the need for extensive testing during peak periods.
The SARS‑CoV‑2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of the nucleocapsid protein antigens of SARS‑CoV‑2, influenza virus A and influenza virus B present in the human nasopharynx. It can be used to assess whether a person currently has any of the three viral respiratory infections by providing a qualitative result showing coloured bands indicating the presence of a specific antigen, based on the nucleocapsid protein of the different pathogens.2
Structure of -SARS-CoV-2 virus3-5
Structure of Influenza A and B virus6
*Hemagglutinin (H or HA), Neuraminidase (N or NA)
Testing process for the SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test only takes a few steps.
Prepare the sample
A. Insert the swab into an extraction buffer tube. While squeezing the buffer tube, stir the swab more than 10 times.
B. Remove the swab while squeezing the sides of the tube to extract the liquid from the swab.
C. Press the nozzle cap tightly onto the tube.
WARNING! Failure to squeeze the tube can lead to incorrect results due to excess buffer in the swab.
Drop of sample
Place the test device on a flat surface and apply 4 drops of extracted sample at a 90° angle to the specimen well of the test device.
WARNING! Do not read test result after 30 minutes. It may give a false result.
A colored line appears in the top section of the result window to show that the test is working properly. This is the control line (C). Even if the control line is faint or not uniform, the test should be considered to have been performed properly. If no control line is visible, the test is invalid. In the case of an invalid result, perform QC and repeat the test.
In case of a positive result, one or more colored lines appear in the lower section of the result window. These are the test lines of SARS-CoV-2 (S), Influenza A (A) and Influenza B (B). Even if the test line is very faint or not uniform, the test result should be interpreted as a positive result.
Each kit contains 25 individually packaged, ready-to-use tests.
The following components are needed for a test and included in the kit:
References
