Development of a Real-time RT-PCR Assay for a Novel Influenza A(H1N1) Virus

October 14, 2009 — 

A pandemic caused by a novel influenza A virus (H1N1) poses a serious public health threat. In this study, a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay based on the hemagglutinin gene was developed that discriminates the novel H1N1 from swine influenza virus, seasonal H1N1/H3N2 virus and the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. The sensitivity of this assay was 0.2 50% tissue culture infective dose of virus and 200 copies of in vitro-transcribed target RNA. Three hundred and forty-eight clinical specimens from suspected H1N1 patients were tested using this assay, and forty-two (12.07%) were found to be positive. Tests using the real-time PCR assay recommended by WHO and virus isolation gave identical results. This sensitive and specific real-time RT-PCR assay will contribute to the early diagnosis and control of the emerging H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Jiang T, Kang X, Deng Y, Zhao H, Li X, Yu X, Yu M, Qin E, Zhu Q, Yang Y, Qin C, Development of a real-time RT-PCR assay for a novel Influenza A(H1N1) virus, , J Virol Methods. 2009 Oct 5. [Epub ahead of print]