BinaxNOW^® is a single-use, rapid immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative presumptive (first step) detection of avian influenza type A viral antigens in oropharyngeal, tracheal and cloacal samples of avian species.

Product Details

BinaxNOW Avian Influenza Virus Type A Antigen Test is the only rapid membrane test that does not require a separate extraction step for the test sample.

• Easy: one step assay - add sample and close
• Rapid: produces results in 15 minutes
• Simple: no special equipment or training required
• Flexible: can be used with oropharyngeal, tracheal or cloacal swabs

BinaxNOW Avian Influenza Virus Type A Antigen Test is the first rapid membrane test that has a negative functional control line for each test.

• Environmentally friendly: incineratable test and packaging
• Contained test: closed test
• Uncomplicated: nothing to mix, nothing to spill

BinaxNOW Avian Influenza Testing Procedure

WARNING: INVALID RESULTS can occur when too little sample is added to the test. Be sure that the lower part of the transfer pipette is full and does not have any air spaces before you add the sample to the sample pad. If there are air spaces, put the sample back in the container by squeezing the top bulb. Redraw the sample from the bottom of the container into the pipette. Use a new pipette if needed.

Elute swab in 0.5-3.0 ml of an appropriate liquid transport media by vigorously rotating the swab in the liquid. If using a liquid sample, proceed to Test Procedure. Remove device from the pouch just prior to testing and lay flat on work area.

Fill pipette by firmly squeezing the top bulb and then placing pipette tip into sample. Slowly release bulb while tip is still in sample. This will pull liquid into the pipette. Make sure there are no air spaces in the lower part of the pipette.

See arrow on test device to find the WHITE sample pad at the top of the test strip. SLOWLY (drop by drop) add entire contents of the pipette (100 µl) to the MIDDLE of this pad such that all of the sample volume absorbs into this pad. DO NOT add sample to the pink/purple colored pad.

Immediately peel off adhesive liner from the test device. Close and securely seal the device. Read result in window 15 minutes after closing the device. Note: When reading the results, tilt the device to reduce glare on the result window if necessary.

For full instructions for use, see package inserts:
BinaxNOW Avian Influenza

About the Test

The BinaxNOW test is an easy to use, rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) that detects influenza A nucleoproteins in oropharyngeal, tracheal and cloacal avian samples. This ICT uses highly sensitive monoclonal antibodies to detect influenza A nucleoprotein antigens. These antibodies and two control antibodies are immobilized onto a membrane support to construct a test strip. This test strip is mounted inside a cardboard, book-shaped, hinged, test device. Results from the one-step test are available in 15 minutes. Use of the BinaxNOW test enables early and accurate identification of influenza A nucleoproteins, thus facilitating the implementation of appropriate and cost-effective action plans.

About Avian Influenza

Worldwide, there are many strains of avian influenza (AI) virus that can cause varying amounts of clinical illness in poultry.^{1, 2, 3} AI viruses can infect chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other avian species, as well as humans. Migratory waterfowl have proved to be a natural reservoir for the less infectious strains of the disease known as low-pathogenic avian influenza.⁴ AI viruses can be classified into low-pathogenic (LPAI) and high-pathogenic (HPAI) based on the severity of the illness they cause. HPAI is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. However, some LPAI virus strains are capable of mutating, under field conditions, into HPAI viruses. The prominent subtypes of avian influenza A viruses include Influenza A H5 and Influenza A H7.

Reference

1. www.usda.gov/birdflu
2. www.oie.int
3. www.fao.org/avianflu/en/index.html
4. Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases: Birds. US Geological Services, Chapter 22, p181-184.