Detection of a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in humans by multiplex one-step real-time RT-PCR assay. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: A novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged in eastern China in February 2013. 413 confirmed human cases, including 157 deaths, have been recorded as of July 31, 2014. METHODS: Clinical specimens, including throat swabs, sputum or tracheal aspirates, etc., were obtained from patients exhibiting influenza-like illness (ILIs), especially from those having pneumonia and a history of occupational exposure to poultry and wild birds. RNA was extracted from these samples and a multiplex one-step real-time RT-PCR assay was developed to specifically detect the influenza A virus (FluA). PCR primers targeted the conserved M and Rnase P (RP) genes, as well as the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of the H7N9 virus. RESULTS: The multiplex assay specifically detected the avian H7N9 virus, and no cross-reaction with other common respiratory pathogens was observed. The detection limit of the assay was approximately 0.05 50% tissue culture infective doses (TCID50), or 100 copies per reaction. Positive detection of the H7N9 virus in sputum/tracheal aspirates was higher than in throat swabs during the surveillance of patients with ILIs. Additionally, detection of the matrix (M) and Rnase P genes aided in the determination of the novel avian H7N9 virus and ensured the quality of the clinical samples. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the multiplex assay detected the novel avian H7N9 virus with high specificity and sensitivity, which is essential for the early diagnosis and treatment of infected patients.

publication date

  • October 8, 2014

Research

keywords

  • Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype
  • Influenza, Human

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4286936

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84908069332

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1186/1471-2334-14-541

PubMed ID

  • 25298249

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 14