The importance of Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) co-testing

As the 2020 flu season collides with the COVID-19 pandemic, accurate diagnosis has the potential to be more challenging than ever. Since most symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 overlap (ie, fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, muscle pain and aches, headaches, and possible vomiting and diarrhea), attempting to differentially diagnose and treat patients could be complex.

During widespread circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, clinicians should consider testing patients with compatible symptoms for both viruses, according to the CDC.1 Quest recently released new respiratory test panels, including the Roche Cobas® high-throughput multiplex influenza A and B, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) molecular panel (Test Code 31688*) to help differentially diagnose the pathogens responsible for a patient’s respiratory infection using a single specimen. Availability of this multiplex panel to distinguish between influenza A and B and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) offers the advantages of:

  • Expediting time to diagnosis using high-throughput specimen processing performed on a single specimen
  • Helping healthcare providers to manage an effective treatment plan and implement a patient quarantine protocol, if necessary
  • Potentially minimizing patient discomfort associated with specimen collection, while eliminating waste of critical collection device supplies

In addition, Quest also recently released two additional panels that allow for the co-testing of more extensive respiratory panels, in conjunction with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA Qualitative NAAT (COVID-19) including the following:

  • SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19) and Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP), Qualitative NAAT (Test Code 31686*)
  • SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19) and Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP), Qualitative NAAT (Test Code 31687*)
These panels are more comprehensive respiratory disease panels that include Influenza A and B, numerous other pathogens that could cause similar respiratory symptoms to Influenza A and B, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). The new test codes provide the ability to perform the RVP or the RPP panels with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19) test using a single test code and a single patient specimen.

These new panels are the latest of Quest’s many new lab innovations to meet the changing demand for COVID-19 testing. To receive alerts, and to find out more about Quest’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
Visit Quest’s COVID-19 website for the latest information on COVID-19.
*These tests are available to order individually: Influenza A and B RNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR (Test Code 16086), SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19), Qualitative NAAT (Test Code 39448), Respiratory Viral Panel, PCR (Test Code 95512) and Respiratory Pathogen Panel (Test Code 37444)



Reference:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ten clinical tips on COVID-19 for healthcare providers involved in patient care. Updated September 16, 2020. Accessed October 1, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-tips-for-healthcare-providers.html
Content reviewed 10/2020
Disclaimer:

  • This test has not been FDA cleared or approved; 
  • This test has been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories; 
  • This test has been authorized only for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and influenza B virus, and not for any other viruses or pathogens; and 
  • This test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.