- Used alongside the Sofia or Sofia 2 benchtop analyzers, it provides rapid, automated detection and differentiation of influenza virus strains
Uses
- Flu Differentiation:
- Rapidly detects and differentiates acute Influenza A and Influenza B viral nucleoprotein antigens from symptomatic patients
- Versatile Sample Processing:
- Validated to extract antigens from direct nasal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, and nasopharyngeal aspirate or wash specimens
- Clinical Point-of-Care:
- Used by urgent care centers, emergency rooms, clinics, and labs for fast patient staging during respiratory season
Features
- Advanced Immunofluorescence:
- Utilizes laser-evoked fluorescence technology on lateral-flow strips to identify viral targets, resulting in higher sensitivity than conventional rapid test lines
- Rapid Dual Work Modes:
- Delivers positive results in as few as 3 minutes using the Sofia 2 Advance Result Technology (ART) mode, or full walk-away development in 15 minutes
- CLIA Complexity:
- CLIA-waived when utilizing direct swabs and aspirate samples. Classified as CLIA moderately complex when specimens are eluted into viral transport media
- Fixed-Volume Pipettes:
- Kits include color-coded, precision pipettes that collect and dispense the exact fluid amount necessary, eliminating manual dosing mistakes
- Bulk Components:
- Distributed in boxes containing 25 complete tests, including 25 cassettes, reagents, nasal swabs, sample pipettes, and external positive/negative control swabs
Benefits
- Objective Analysis:
- The Sofia instrument interprets the results automatically, removing human subjectivity, visual bias, and errors often associated with reading faint manual lines
- Co-Extraction Savings:
- Fully compatible with the RSV extraction reagent. A nurse can collect a single specimen from a patient and split it to run both the Sofia Flu and Sofia RSV tests simultaneously
- No Cold-Chain Demands:
- All test cassettes and components store safely at room temperature (59°F to 86°F), protecting refrigeration storage capacity
- Immediate Treatment Decisions:
- Fast point-of-care turnarounds let providers confidently prescribe appropriate antiviral therapy while the patient is still in the exam room, improving overall care outcomes
