2013年宜春市甲型H1N1流感病毒分离鉴定及HA基因分子进化分析

目的 对2013年江西省宜春市甲型H1N1流感病毒HA基因序列及其编码的氨基酸序列进行分子进化分析,为防控甲型H1N1流感大流行和常规监测提供科学根据。方法 随机选择11株2013年宜春市疾病预防控制中心流感监测实验室分离到的甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株,提取病毒RNA,One-step RT-PCR扩增HA基因并双向测序。以世界卫生组织疫苗推荐株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)(GenBank:CY121680)和几株国内外近几年分离的流感甲型H1N1毒株的HA基因为参考序列,采用DNAStar 7.0和Mega 5.0软件对HA基因及其编码的氨基酸序列进行比对,绘制分子进化树,进行HA变异分析。结果 2013年宜春市11株所测甲型H1N1流感病毒与疫苗推荐株亲缘性较近,进一步参考几株国内外近几年分离到的流感甲型H1N1毒株,HA没有发生较大变异;其HA基因序列二硫键、糖基化位点未发生变异;尽管有7株毒株同时在抗原决定簇区A区和受体结合位点130环或其附近发生单个位点氨基酸替换变异,但未形成流行病学变异新种。结论 目前的甲型H1N1流感疫苗仍对人群有保护作用,而抗原决定簇和受体结合位点的变异提示仍需要密切关注甲型H1N1流感的再次流行。     

2010年广州市甲型H1N1流感病毒分离株NA基因变异分析

目的比较2010年从广州市分离到的甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶(NA)基因与2009年中国大陆甲型H1N1流感病毒NA基因的变异情况,为甲型H1N1流感的监测和防控提供参考资料。方法收集2010年广州市有发热和呼吸道症状患者的咽拭子标本,用甲型H1N1流感病毒特异性引物进行聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测,扩增分离到的甲型H1N1流感病毒NA基因片段,测序后与2009年的H1N1毒株进行比对和进化分析,并用生物信息学方法对耐药位点和糖基化位点进行分析。结果共收集1 194份咽拭子标本,检测到甲型流感病毒阳性327份,其中H1N1流感病毒6株,与2009年分离的甲型H1N1流感病毒相比,有16个位点发生了有义突变,3个位点和NA活性相关,其中222位氨基酸的变异位于NA活性位点上。结论成功扩增了2010年广州市6株甲型H1N1流感病毒株NA基因并测序,未发现H275Y耐药位点的变异。3毒株在NA活性位点222位、228位和425位等氨基酸位点处发生了变异,需继续加强监测。     

浙江省近年甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶基因序列分析

目的 分析浙江省2009 2013年初甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶基因(NA)序列进化特征。 方法 提取浙江省2009 2013年初29株甲型H1N1流感病毒基因组RNA,反转录－聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增NA基因,测序并拼接出ORF。以浙江省不同年份与地域15份代表性毒株NA序列和GenBank数据库中选取的22株2009 2012年国内外甲型H1N1流感病毒NA基因序列,采用MEGA 5.1软件对其进行序列比对并构建种系发生树。 结果 扩增并测序获得29株甲型H1N1流感病毒的NA基因ORF的全长序列,与国内外甲型H1N1流感病毒NA序列比对后显示序列的同源性较高,浙江省毒株与北美早期甲型H1N1流感病毒典型代表株A/California/04/2009(H1N1)的同源性为98.20％~99.50%,其中采集于2012年末和2013年初的4份病毒NA与A/California/04/2009(H1N1)的同源性为98.63%~99.14%。在1株采集于2010年1月的甲型H1N1流感病毒NA的基因序列中发现可导致奥司他韦耐药的H275Y突变基因型。 结论 虽然浙江省后期的甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶基因累积了更多的变异,但所有毒株之间基因同源性仍然较高,所有毒株的神经氨酸酶基因同源性达到98.20％及以上,序列分析结果证实1份毒株携带奥司他韦耐药基因型突变。     

新余市甲型H1N1流感病毒H275Y突变监测

目的分析2013年-2014年新余市甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶(NA)第275位氨基酸变异情况,掌握甲型H1N1流感病毒耐药特性。方法收集新余市流感监测哨点医院的流感样病例的咽拭子标本,采用狗肾传代细胞(MDCK)对标本进行病毒分离,随机选择15株甲型H1N1流感病毒进行核酸提取,采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增病毒NA基因部分片段,应用限制性内切酶片段长度多态性分析(RFLP)方法进行酶切分析。结果新余市15株甲型H1N1流感病毒中,仅有A/江西渝水/SWL1220/2014(H1)发生了H275Y突变,它具有Oseltamivir耐药性。结论新余市绝大多数甲型H1N1流感毒株对Oseltamivir敏感,但仍有必要持续监测和防范Oseltamivir耐药毒株的出现。     

赣州市2014年新型甲型H1N1流感病毒NA基因特征及耐药性分析

目的：分析江西省赣州市2014年新型甲型H1N1流感病毒NA基因的特点,掌握其耐药情况,为临床治疗和疾病控制提供参考依据。方法随机选择17株新型甲型H1N1流感病毒,经核酸提取和one-step RT-PCR扩增NA基因片段,双向序列测定,采用DNAStar5.0和Mage4.0序列分析软件分析NA基因特征以及耐药性位点。结果17株毒株的NA基因片段与代表株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)的序列核苷酸序列进行比对,核苷酸序列同源性高达98.4%以上,氨基酸的同源性也高达97.0%以上。17株毒株的NA活性中心位点氨基酸及周围的辅助位点氨基酸均未发生氨基酸替换。结论17株毒株的NA基因片段保持高度的同源性并均对流感病毒神经氨酸酶抑制剂药物敏感,但仍应加强对流感病毒的耐药性监测,为制定新型甲型H1N1流感的防制措施提供技术支持。     

2009~2012年杭州地区甲型H1N1流感病毒HA与NA基因的进化分析

摘要：目的：研究杭州地区2009年至2012年甲型H1N1流感病毒血凝素（HA）与神经氨酸酶（NA）的基因进化特征,分析该病毒的遗传变异和抗原的分子水平转变。 方法：用RT-PCR分别扩增甲型H1N1流感病毒HA基因和NA基因片段并进行测序,用DNAMAN和MEGA 4.0生物信息学软件对HA和NA基因序列进行进化分析。 结果：建立的RT-PCR可成功检测HA(C)、HA(D)和NA基因,遗传进化分析结果表明,杭州地区甲型H1N1流感病毒的HA与NA氨基酸序列的亲缘系数与WHO推荐的病毒株及国内代表株的同源性均为98.9%~100%;三维构象结果表明,HA编码的蛋白质有5个位点发生改变,而NA编码的蛋白质仅发生2个位点改变。 结论：2009年至2011年杭州地区甲型H1N1流感病毒HA和NA基因序列与世界范围内流行的病毒参考株具有高度同源性,但HA与NA蛋白质表位存在某些氨基酸位点的改变。     

2016-2017年我国甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型HA和NA基因的分子特征分析

目的探讨2016-2017年我国甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型血凝素(hemagglutinin,HA)和神经氨酸酶(neuraminidase,NA)基因的分子特征,为甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型的防控提供科学依据。方法从全球共享禽流感数据库(GISAID)中获得我国2016~2017年分离的525株甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型病毒和13株H3N2亚型参考株的HA和NA基因序列。应用MEGA 6.0软件分析HA和NA的分子进化特征、氨基酸位点和耐药位点的变异情况。结果进化树分析显示13株参考株之间HA和NA氨基酸的同源性均为96.9%~99.1%。2016-2017年我国甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型的病毒株HA和NA氨基酸序列之间同源性均为96.3%~100%,HA和NA的优势亚分支均为3C.2a.1,相当一部分毒株分型不够明确。HA氨基酸变异分析显示9株发生N121E突变,103株发生N121K的突变且主要来源于2017年的香港毒株;182株发生G/R142K突变;A/Hong_Kong/3079/2017-HA和A/Guangdong-Chengguan/1383/2017-HA均发生A128I突变;NA蛋白仅3株(A/Hunan-Suxian/1980/2016-NA、A/Hunan-Yuhua/11799/2016-NA和A/Ningxia-Yuanzhou/1657/2016-NA)发现H275Y耐药位点突变。结论 2016-2017年我国甲型流感病毒H3N2亚型的HA和NA蛋白与参考株间存在一定的差异,优势亚型均为3C.2a.1;与病毒的毒力及药物相关的部分关键氨基酸位点发生变异。应密切关注H3N2病毒的分子特征,为其防控提供参考。     

长春市2018-2020监测年度甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶（NA）基因特征分析

目的 分析长春市2018-2020年度甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶（NA）基因特征,了解其变异情况及遗传进化特征。方法 选取2018-2020年度甲型H1N1流感病毒分离株72株,PCR扩增NA基因并进行序列测定;利用生物信息学软件对分离株的NA基因进行进化和变异分析。结果 长春市72株分离株与疫苗株A/California/07/2009的NA蛋白相比均有V13I、I34V、L40I、N44S、V81A、N200S、V241I、N248D、N270K、Y351F、N369K、N386K、K432E、N449D共同的氨基酸位点变异,且有1株发生了NA蛋白H275Y耐药位点的突变,提示此毒株为奥司他韦耐药株。72株病毒株NA基因之间核苷酸同源性为97.6%-100%,氨基酸同源性为97.2%-100%。在进化树分析上,呈集中分布态势,都属于6B.1分支。结论 长春市2018-2020年度甲型H1N1流感病毒神经氨酸酶基因持续发生变异,但大部分甲型H1N1流感病毒仍对神经氨酸酶抑制剂敏感。未来仍应加强耐药性监测,为预防甲型H1N1流感大流行提供参考。     

2017-2020年流感流行季节河北省甲型H1N1流感病毒耐药性及耐药基因分析

  目的  分析河北省2017 — 2020年流感流行季节甲型H1N1流感病毒对神经氨酸酶抑制剂类药物（NAI）的耐药情况,为流感的预防控制提供依据。  方法  选取2017 — 2020年流感流行季节37株甲型H1N1流感病毒毒株进行生物学耐药实验,使用荧光发光法检测病毒对奥司他韦和扎那米韦的药物敏感性。 选取38株甲型H1N1流感病毒提取核酸后对神经氨酸酶NA基因进行PCR扩增,测序后对耐药位点进行分析。  结果  选取的“A/河北新华/SWL1106/2017”对奥司他韦敏感性降低（IC₅₀=30.98 nmol/L）,其余36株甲型H1N1流感病毒全部对奥司他韦和扎那米韦敏感,对奥司他韦的半数抑制浓度（IC₅₀）平均数为0.46 （0.07～1.14 ）nmol/L;对扎那米韦的IC₅₀平均数为0.27 （0.07～0.85 ）nmol/L。 序列分析发现1株发生了H275Y突变,为奥司他韦耐药株。  结论  2017—2020年河北省流行的绝大部分甲型H1N1流感病毒对NAI类药物敏感。     

新余市甲型流感病毒M基因进化及金刚烷胺类耐药性分析

目的分析新余市2013年-2015年甲型流感病毒M基因进化及金刚烷胺类耐药情况,为临床治疗和疾病防控提供依据。方法随机选择30株甲型流感病毒,经核酸提取、one-step RT-PCR扩增M基因片段和双向序列测定,通过DNAStar5.0和Mage5.0序列分析软件获得有关数据。结果在M基因上,16株H3N2毒株、14株新型H1N1毒株核苷酸序列的同源性分别99.2%、98.8%,且与相应的疫苗推荐株高度同源,H3N2毒株与新型H1N1毒株与相应的疫苗推荐株相比较,大部分(13/16)H3N2毒株未发生变异,所有新H1N1毒株均发生1~2个氨基酸替换;30株新余市甲型流感毒株M2蛋白第31位氨基酸位点均由丝氨酸(S)突变为天冬酰胺(N)。结论新余市2013年至2015年甲型流感毒株相同亚型间M基因同源性较高,30株甲型流感毒株均具有金刚烷胺类药物抗性,对流感病毒耐药性问题应该给予重视。     

Comparison of the Roche RealTime ready Influenza A/H1N1 Detection Set with CDC A/H1N1pdm09 RT-PCR on samples from three hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be considered the gold standard for detection of influenza viruses due to its high sensitivity and specificity. Roche has developed the RealTime ready Influenza A/H1N1 Detection Set, consisting of a generic influenza virus A PCR targeting the M2 gene (M2 PCR) and a specific PCR targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) of A/H1N1-pdm09 (HA PCR, 2009 H1N1), with the intention to make a reliable, rapid, and simple test to detect and quantify 2009 H1N1 in clinical samples. We evaluated this kit against the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC)/World Health Organization real-time PCR for influenza virus using 419 nose and throat swabs from 210 patients collected in 3 large hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In the per-patient analysis, when compared to CDC PCR, the sensitivity and specificity of the M2 PCR were 85.8% and 97.6%, respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of HA PCR were 88.2% and 100%, respectively. In the per-sample analysis, the sensitivity and specificity in nose swabs were higher than those in throat swabs for both M2 and HA PCRs. The viral loads as determined with the M2 and HA PCRs correlated well with the Ct values of the CDC PCR. Compared with the CDC PCR, the kit has a reasonable sensitivity and very good specificity for the detection and quantification of influenza A virus and A/H1N1-pdm09. However, given the current status of 2009 H1N1, a kit that can detect all circulating seasonal influenza viruses would be preferable.     

甲型H1N1流感重症患者病毒血凝素和神经氨酸酶基因特性分析

目的 通过分析2009-11-02～12-04期间北京市6例甲型H1N1流感重症患者咽拭子中病毒的血凝素、神经氨酸酶基因特性,了解其基因进化特点,以期对下一步甲型H1N1流感的防控和重症的治疗提供理论依据.方法 使用实时荧光PCR方法,检测重症患者样本为甲型H1N1流感病毒阳性样本,利用测序引物扩增血凝素、神经氨酸酶基因,测定核苷酸序列,利用生物信息软件拼接序列;分析重要基因位点,对其进行基因进化、耐药性分析.结果 6件测定样本血凝素、神经氨酸酶基因与疫苗株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)核苷酸、氨基酸的同源性分别为99.2%及99.5%,有8个血凝素基因的氨基酸发生替换,为65、100、145、185、216、220、338及391位,其中145位位于抗原决定簇A区,220位位于抗原决定簇D区,同时是受体结合位点的后壁;有5个神经氨酸酶基因的氨基酸发生了替换,为59、106、232、248及365位,其中106、232、248位位于酶活性区域;未发生神经氨酸酶基因275位H→Y的替换.结论 北京市甲型H1N1流感重症患者病毒血凝素和神经氨酸酶基因与疫苗株A/California/07/2009(H1N1)高度同源,部分血凝素基因、神经氨酸酶基因有氨基酸替换,但其作用不清.所有测定样本未发生对达菲类药物的耐药性突变.     

2009年甲型H1N1流感的病原学及临床特征

2009年甲型H1N1流感暴发并在全世界范围内流行,相关问题也逐渐成为研究热点,据目前资料显示该病毒的HA基因衍生于1918年的流感病毒,而其他的基因片段包括了人、禽类及欧亚猪流感病毒.在临床表现上,甲型H1N1流感与季节性流感相似,目前,该病毒尚对NA抑制剂敏感.作为甲型H1N1流感的第一急救者,急诊医师应对该病的病原学、临床表现、流行病学、治疗及预防等各方面提高认知.     

杭州地区2009甲型H1N1流感重症患儿中人类偏肺病毒感染状况研究

目的了解杭州地区2009甲型H1N1流感（以下简称甲流）重症患儿中人类偏肺病毒（hMPV）的感染状况。方法采集2009年11月至2010年1月确诊为甲流重症患儿的呼吸道样本79份,用传统逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）、荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测hMPV及其他呼吸道病毒。选择hMPV阳性样本PCR扩增产物进行核苷酸测序,将所测序列与GenBank比对分析,并绘制基因进化树。结果79份甲流病毒阳性样本中,hMPV及其它呼吸道病毒阳性率20．25％（16,79）,hMPV阳性PCR扩增产物4份,占甲流重症病例的5．06％（4,79）。其中3份hMPV阳性PCR扩增产物核苷酸序列相似性为99．1％～99．5％,与广东省流行株GD．165,泰国株155N及B1代表株高度相似,并且被GenBank收录。结论杭州地区确诊感染的2009甲型H1N1流感重症病例中存在与hMPV共同感染状况,且hMPV均为B1基因型。     

Novel Genotypes of H9N2 Influenza A Viruses Isolated from Poultry in Pakistan Containing NS Genes Similar to Highly Pathogenic H7N3 and H5N1 Viruses

The impact of avian influenza caused by H9N2 viruses in Pakistan is now significantly more severe than in previous years. Since all gene segments contribute towards the virulence of avian influenza virus, it was imperative to investigate the molecular features and genetic relationships of H9N2 viruses prevalent in this region. Analysis of the gene sequences of all eight RNA segments from 12 viruses isolated between 2005 and 2008 was undertaken. The hemagglutinin (HA) sequences of all isolates were closely related to H9N2 viruses isolated from Iran between 2004 and 2007 and contained leucine instead of glutamine at position 226 in the receptor binding pocket, a recognised marker for the recognition of sialic acids linked α2–6 to galactose. The neuraminidase (NA) of two isolates contained a unique five residue deletion in the stalk (from residues 80 to 84), a possible indication of greater adaptation of these viruses to the chicken host. The HA, NA, nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix (M) genes showed close identity with H9N2 viruses isolated during 1999 in Pakistan and clustered in the A/Quail/Hong Kong/G1/97 virus lineage. In contrast, the polymerase genes clustered with H9N2 viruses from India, Iran and Dubai. The NS gene segment showed greater genetic diversity and shared a high level of similarity with NS genes from either H5 or H7 subtypes rather than with established H9N2 Eurasian lineages. These results indicate that during recent years the H9N2 viruses have undergone extensive genetic reassortment which has led to the generation of H9N2 viruses of novel genotypes in the Indian sub-continent. The novel genotypes of H9N2 viruses may play a role in the increased problems observed by H9N2 to poultry and reinforce the continued need to monitor H9N2 infections for their zoonotic potential.     

泉州市流感疫情实验室检测及H3N2亚型基因特性分析

目的 了解2009年泉州地区流感流行及病毒株的变异情况,探讨流感病毒基因的变异与流感流行的关系.方法 对泉州市198例流感患者的咽拭子采用MDCK细胞培养进行病毒分离,经血清学试验鉴定分型和实时荧光RT-PCR方法检测病毒核酸.对其中4株毒株提取病毒RNA,采用RT-PCR扩增病毒HA1基因,纯化产物进行核苷酸序列测定,用DNAstar megalign软件分析基因.结果 198份咽拭子中有98份为H3N2亚型流感病毒核酸阳性,分离到62株H3N2亚型流感病毒,HA1基因经核苷酸序列测定显示,其基因特性更接近于A/Ningbo/333/2008,核苷酸同源性为98.7%,与A/Xiamen/70/2004的同源性为96.8%,由HA1基因核苷酸序列推导的氨基酸系列与疫苗株A/Brisbane/10/2007相比,有7个氨基酸位点发生变异,其中有1个位点位于抗原决定簇A区(144),有2个位点位于抗原决定簇B区(158、189),种系发生树分析也证实HA1基因存在一定差异.结论引起2009年泉州市流感在部分集体单位流行的病毒为H3N2亚型,其基因特性和抗原性与疫苗株相比均发生了一定变异.

Abstract：

Objective To obtain the information of the 2009 influenza outbreak and the variations of influenza virus strains in quanzhou, and explore the relationship between the genetic variation of influenza virus and influenza epidemic. Methods During the influenza outbreak in quanzhou,one hundred and ninetyeight throat swabs specimens from the patients with influenza were collected. Viruses were isolated with MDCK cells and identified with serological test, followed by real-time RT-PCR. RNA of four influenza virus strains were extracted, then HA1 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The purified PCR products were sequenced. The data were analyzed with the software DNAstar megalign. Results Total 98 pieces of H3N2 subtype influenza virus nucleic acid were detected in 198 throat swabs specimens,among which 62 influenza virus strains were identified as subtype influenza A( H3N2 ). The sequencing results of HA1 gene in these positive strains showed that their genetic characterization were more closed to strains A/Ningbo/333/2008 with a nucleotide homology of 98.7%, which was 96.8% as compared with A/Xiamen/70/2004. The amino acids sequences deduced from the nucleotide sequences in HA1 region of the isolated strain had 7 mutant sites compared with A/Brisbane/10/2007 vaccine strain. One variant amino acids were found located in the antigenic determinant sites A( 144 ), two were in the sites B( 158,189 ). Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the difference in HAl domain. Conclusion The influenza virus strains causing the flu outbreak among some communities of quanzhou in 2009 are subtype influenza A ( H3N2 ), whose genetic characterization and antigenicity were different from the vaccine strain.     

Characterization of Drug-Resistant Influenza Virus A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) Variants Selected In Vitro with Laninamivir

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) play a major role for managing influenza virus infections. The widespread oseltamivir resistance among 2007-2008 seasonal A(H1N1) viruses and community outbreaks of oseltamivir-resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 strains highlights the need for additional anti-influenza virus agents. Laninamivir is a novel long-lasting NAI that has demonstrated in vitro activity against influenza A and B viruses, and its prodrug (laninamivir octanoate) is in phase II clinical trials in the United States and other countries. Currently, little information is available on the mechanisms of resistance to laninamivir. In this study, we first performed neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assays to determine the activity of laninamivir against a set of influenza A viruses containing NA mutations conferring resistance to one or many other NAIs. We also generated drug-resistant A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) viruses under in vitro laninamivir pressure. Laninamivir demonstrated a profile of susceptibility that was similar to that of zanamivir. More specifically, it retained activity against oseltamivir-resistant H275Y and N295S A(H1N1) variants and the E119V A(H3N2) variant. In vitro, laninamivir pressure selected the E119A NA substitution in the A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 A(H1N1) background, whereas E119K and G147E NA changes along with a K133E hemagglutinin (HA) substitution were selected in the A/Quebec/144147/2009 A(H1N1)pdm09 strain. In the A/Brisbane/10/2007 A(H3N2) background, a large NA deletion accompanied by S138A/P194L HA substitutions was selected. This H3N2 variant had altered receptor-binding properties and was highly resistant to laninamivir in plaque reduction assays. Overall, we confirmed the similarity between zanamivir and laninamivir susceptibility profiles and demonstrated that both NA and HA changes can contribute to laninamivir resistance in vitro.     

Influenza A Subtyping: Seasonal H1N1, H3N2, and the Appearance of Novel H1N1

Influenza virus subtyping has emerged as a critical tool in the diagnosis of influenza. Antiviral resistance is present in the majority of seasonal H1N1 influenza A infections, with association of viral strain type and antiviral resistance. Influenza A virus subtypes can be reliably distinguished by examining conserved sequences in the matrix protein gene. We describe our experience with an assay for influenza A subtyping based on matrix gene sequences. Viral RNA was prepared from nasopharyngeal swab samples, and real-time RT-PCR detection of influenza A and B was performed using a laboratory developed analyte-specific reagent-based assay that targets a conserved region of the influenza A matrix protein gene. FluA-positive samples were analyzed using a second RT-PCR assay targeting the matrix protein gene to distinguish seasonal influenza subtypes based on differential melting of fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes. The novel H1N1 influenza strain responsible for the 2009 pandemic showed a melting profile distinct from that of seasonal H1N1 or H3N2 and compatible with the predicted melting temperature based on the published novel H1N1 matrix gene sequence. Validation by comparison with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention real-time RT-PCR for swine influenza A (novel H1N1) test showed this assay to be both rapid and reliable (>99% sensitive and specific) in the identification of the novel H1N1 influenza A virus strain.The 2009 novel influenza A/H1N1 viral pandemic has presented challenges for hospital laboratories and health care systems seeking to rapidly diagnose, treat, and limit the spread of this virus. As is the case for routine diagnosis of seasonal influenza infections, molecular amplification assays offer the potential for the sensitivity and speed needed to manage an influenza outbreak. However, standardized RT-PCR assays specific for this strain of influenza were not initially available, leaving many laboratories to diagnose this infection through indirect means.Our laboratory has used PCR for rapid detection of influenza A and B for several years, and more recently had implemented a rapid RT-PCR/melt-curve assay designed to differentiate seasonal influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2.¹ This approach was initially developed for viral subtyping to guide clinicians on the appropriate antiviral therapy. Antiviral resistance has risen during recent years, with the majority of seasonal H1N1 strains no longer being sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and seasonal H3N2 strains being largely resistant to adamantanes.² Rapid determination of influenza A subtype is essential for determining optimal therapy and for prudent use of antiviral agents. Consequently, this RT-PCR assay has become part of our influenza testing algorithm.The design of the RT-PCR assay exploits minor variations in a relatively conserved sequence within the matrix protein gene. Not surprisingly, the novel H1N1 strain of influenza that appeared in the spring of 2009 had a distinct melting temperature consistent with the published matrix gene sequence and the sequence of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes used in this assay designed to differentiate seasonal influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2. As part of our influenza testing algorithm, this assay allowed definitive diagnosis of the 2009 influenza H1N1 from nasopharyngeal swabs within hours after arrival in the clinical laboratory.