An Agglutination-Inhibition Test Proposed as a Standard of Reference in Influenza Diagnostic Studies

Abstract

One of the problems in influenza diagnostic studies is that of interpreting results obtained in one laboratory in terms of those obtained in another laboratory. Obviously, this difficulty could be eliminated by common use of a standard method; but it is the opinion of the Committee that acceptance of a standardized procedure is unlikely at this time. However, it is the general opinion that some of the difficulty can be eliminated by use of a procedure of reference; in that way each laboratory would be free to use its own method and yet be able to evaluate the results of that method in terms of the reference test. The procedure proposed has been reviewed by workers most active in the field in this country and in Europe; it is proposed as the reference test for laboratories engaged in the influenza programs of both the Armed Forces Epidemiological Board and the World Health Organization.