Design of a single tube RT-PCR assay for the diagnosis of human infection with highly pathogenic influenza A(H5) viruses

J Virol Methods. 2007 Feb;139(2):220-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.10.003. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Abstract

Concerns about emergence of a pandemic strain of influenza have been increasing. The strains of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) currently circulating are considered among the most plausible candidates for giving rise to a pandemic strain. In this study the design and development of a RT-PCR assay specific for these highly pathogenic influenza A(H5) strains is presented. This is achieved in part by the design of a primer targeting the coding region for the protease cleavage site of the hemagglutinin, and another primer derived from a pan-hemagglutinin RT-PCR assay also presented in this study. It is shown that the HPAI A(H5) specific assay amplifies only the nucleic acids of highly pathogenic A(H5), with a high sensitivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds
  • DNA Primers
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / classification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / isolation & purification*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / pathogenicity
  • Influenza in Birds / diagnosis
  • Influenza in Birds / virology
  • Influenza, Human / diagnosis*
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • RNA, Viral