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Antigens

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Study Shows Widespread Detection Ability of Currently Available Tests

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New research from Emory University School of Medicine has found that all currently available influenza tests are capable of detecting 2024 U.S. H5N1 strains in contrived samples, with varying degrees of analytical sensitivity. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, assessed the ability of 10 commercially available influenza A lateral flow assays, two H5-specific LFA, and five point-of-care molecular tests to detect the H5N1 virus circulating in U.S. cattle. The research has significant implications for pandemic preparedness, as it highlights the need to establish clinical performance and optimal sample types in the event of human-to-human transmission.

Key Takeaways:

  • A new study has found that all currently available influenza tests can detect 2024 U.S. H5N1 strains in contrived samples.
  • The study, conducted by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, assessed the ability of 12 different tests to detect the H5N1 virus circulating in U.S. cattle.
  • The researchers found that all tests were able to detect the virus, but with varying degrees of analytical sensitivity.
  • The study has significant implications for pandemic preparedness, as it highlights the need to establish clinical performance and optimal sample types in the event of human-to-human transmission.
  • The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and was published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
  • The study involved the assessment of 10 commercially available influenza A lateral flow assays, two H5-specific LFA, and five point-of-care molecular tests.
  • The researchers used contrived nasal swab samples to test the ability of the tests to detect the H5N1 virus.
  • The study found that the sensitivity of the point-of-care molecular tests ranged from 1.55 to 7.75 TCID50/swab, while the sensitivity of the lateral flow assays ranged from 78 to 1550 TCID50/swab.
  • The researchers also tested a subset of LFA to confirm that they were able to detect a D1.1 genotype strain isolated from a human case of H5N1 in Washington State.

Statistics:

  • At least 70 human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 have been reported.
  • The outbreak in dairy cattle began in early 2024 and has involved at least 70 U.S. cases.
  • The researchers found that all 10 commercially available influenza A lateral flow assays were able to detect the H5N1 virus, as well as 2 H5-specific LFA and 5 point-of-care molecular tests.
  • The sensitivity of the point-of-care molecular tests ranged from 1.55 to 7.75 TCID50/swab.
  • The sensitivity of the lateral flow assays ranged from 78 to 1550 TCID50/swab.
  • The researchers also tested a subset of LFA to confirm that they were able to detect a D1.1 genotype strain isolated from a human case of H5N1 in Washington State.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Emory University School of Medicine Researchers Yield New Data on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) [Toward diagnostic preparedness: detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in contrived nasal swab specimens using rapid antigen and ...]. TB & Outbreaks Week. November 4, 2025; p 423.
  • Toward diagnostic preparedness: detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in contrived nasal swab specimens using rapid antigen and point-of-care molecular tests. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2025,63(9).

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