Novel Flu Test Developed to Speed Up Treatment

Patients were randomly assigned (1:1), via an internet-based allocation sequence with random permuted blocks, to have a molecular POCT for respiratory viruses or routine clinical care.

Of the 301 (84%) of 360 patients in the POCT group received antibiotics compared with 294 (83%) of 354 controls and mean duration of antibiotics did not differ between groups (7·2 ± 5.1 days). The investigators found that 50/301(17%) of patients treated with antibiotics in the POCT group received single doses or brief courses of antibiotics (less than 48 hours) compared with 26 (9%) of 294 patients in the control group. Mean length of stay was shorter in the POCT group (5.7 ± 6·3 days) than in the control group (6·8 ± 7.7 days).

The authors concluded that patients who had the point-of-care test got the right treatment for their lung condition faster. In addition, patients who tested positive for influenza in the point-of-care testing group were appropriately isolated in a side room and given antiviral medication more often and sooner than those in the standard care group.

Tristan W Clark, MD, an associate professor in infectious diseases and senior author of the study, said, “My vision is that anyone who comes into hospital with an acute respiratory condition will receive this point-of-care test as soon as they come through the hospital door. It tells us immediately what virus the person has so, for example, if they have influenza they can be isolated in a side room and given antiviral drugs without delay.” The study was published on April 6, 2017, in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine.