Question

Name the specimen sources that can be accepted by the BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test? What is the preferred specimen? List 3 limitations and 10 interfering substances of the BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test.

Name the specimen sources that can be accepted by the BinaxNOW® RSV test? What is the preferred specimen? List 5 limitations and 10 interfering substances of the BinaxNOW® RSV test.

Answer 1

Question: BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test

specimen sources that can be accepted by the BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test are Nasal wash, which is flexible in nature, collected by cotton, foam or rayon and Nasal swab, which is solid, collected by cotton, foam and rayon. Foam based Nasal swab is preferred in this test.

Limitations: There are many limitations of BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test. These are following:

1. BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test can’t differentiate between viable and non-viable cells. Whatever results it is giving that includes both viable and non-viable cells. In some cases, cured patient can show positive results.

2. It is not so much sensitive. It works on monoclonal antibodies and virus are liable to make changes in their epitopes. Sometimes, these Abs fails to detect the virus.

3. This test doesn’t give accurate results. Negative results don’t mean, no possibility of disease. In some cases, infected patient showed negative results.

Substance interfering with BinaxNOW® Influenza A & B test

I. Rimantadine

II. Mouthwashes

III. Albuterol

IV. Dextromethorphan

V. nasal sprays

VI. Acetylsalicylic acid

VII. throat drops and sprays

VIII. Phenylephrine

IX. 4-acetamidophenol

X. Diphenhydramine

Question: BinaxNOW® RSV test

Specimen: a) Nasal wash, b) Nasal swab

Nasal swab is preferred as kit showed more efficiency in case of nasal swab and less possibility of contamination.

Limitations:

1. Failure of detection because of change in the epitope of virus.

2. This test doesn’t induct any treatment.

3.   Improper sample collection can give false results.

Factor interfering with BinaxNOW® RSV test

i. Fluticasone Propionate

ii. Beclomethasone

iii. Mupirocin

iv. Dexamethasone

v. Tobramycin

vi. Triamcinolone

vii. Zanamivir

viii. Phenylephrine nasal spray

ix. Cepacol

x. Chloraseptic