Single step multiplex real-time RT-PCR for H5N1 influenza A virus detection

H5N1 influenza A virus causes a rapidly fatal systemic disease in domestic poultry and spreads directly from poultry to mammalian species such as leopards, tigers and humans. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex real-time RT-PCR for rapid detection of H5N1 influenza A virus. The selected primers and various labeled TaqMan MGB reporter probes corresponding to M, H5 and N1 were used in a single step multiplex real-time RT-PCR to simultaneously detect triple fluorescent signals. In order to validate the method, 75 clinical specimens infected with H5N1 isolated from both poultry and mammals, as well as various specimens of other subtypes and RNA from other viral pathogens of poultry and human were tested. The results showed that the multiplex real-time RT-PCR assays can be applied to detect virus suspensions of H5N1 influenza A virus from a wide host range and demonstrated the sensitivity of the assay amounted to approximately 10(2)-10(3)copies/mul. In conclusion, the highlights of this particular method lie in its rapidity, specificity and sensitivity thus rendering it feasible and effective for large-scale screening at times of H5N1 influenza A virus outbreaks.     

H9N2禽流感病毒一步法双重荧光RT-PCR检测方法的建立

目的 建立一种可同时检测禽流感病毒H9N2的HA和NA基因一步法双重荧光RT-PCR方法.方法 针对H9N2禽流感病毒的HA和NA基因保守区,设计相应的特异性引物以及探针,优化检测体系及反应条件,建立一步法双重荧光定量RT-PCR方法.对该方法的灵敏度、特异性、稳定性进行验证与评估,并对家禽粪便标本进行应用检测,以单重实时荧光RT-PCR方法作为参照,检测结果不一致的样本采用测序进行验证.结果 该方法特异性强,与H1、H3、H5、H7亚型禽流感病毒、鸡新城疫及鸡传染性支炎病毒均无交叉反应,对HA和NA基因的最低检出限分别可达50拷贝/μL和25拷贝/μL,组间与组内的变异系数在0.20 ～0.79％之间.对82份粪便标本进行检测,H9N2禽流感病毒的阳性率为8.14％ (7/82),与单重实时荧光RT-PCR法检测结果一致.结论 该方法特异性强、灵敏度高、稳定性好,可应用于临床禽流感样本的检测.     

双重荧光定量RT-PCR快速检测流感病毒H1、H3亚型的研究

目的利用荧光定量RT-PCR技术建立一种快速检测流感病毒H1、H3亚型的方法。方法根据H1、H3亚型流感病毒HA基因的相对保守序列,设计两对引物及其相应的Taqman探针,利用一步法RT-PCR试剂盒建立优化反应体系后,将荧光定量RT-PCR的产物采用10倍稀释法,即107～100copies/μl,再次用荧光定量PCR方法检验建立体系的灵敏度和重复性,并建立相对定量标准曲线;利用多种流感病毒和具有相似临床症状的呼吸道病毒检验建立体系的特异性。结果 H1和H3亚型流感病毒的检测灵敏度为102copies/μl,扩增效率分别为101.35%和113.28%,标准曲线相关系数大于99%,重复性良好,特异度实验未发现有非特异性扩增。结论本研究建立的双重荧光定量RT-PCR技术可以快速、准确地检测H1、H3亚型流感病毒。     

A multiplex real-time RT-PCR for detection and identification of influenza virus types A and B and subtypes H5 and N1

A multiplex real-time RT-PCR method for the simultaneous detection of influenza virus types A and B and identification of subtypes H5 and N1 in a single tube is described. The method was developed with four sets of primers and probes which were specific to influenza virus (sub)types A, B, H5, and N1, and evaluated by using a total of 40 influenza virus reference strains, including 17 avian influenza A (12 H5N1, 1 H1N1, 1 H3N2, 1 H4N6, 1 H7N3, and 1 H9N2), 18 human influenza A (11 H3N2, 6 H1N1 and 1 H5N1) and 5 influenza B viruses. The method exhibited a high specificity and sensitivity of approximately 10(1)-10(2)copies/microl for each (sub)type and a high reproducibility with intra- and inter-assay CV from 0.13 to 4.24%. In an analysis of 189 clinical samples from patients during the year 2004 and 2005, the method identified 81 positive samples (42.9%) and identified simultaneously 14 type B samples and 11 subtype N1 samples, in comparison only 46 positive samples (24.3%) identified by the conventional culturing method. The method would be a useful molecular diagnostic tool for large-scale screening of clinical samples for influenza virus.     

Simultaneous detection of influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial viruses and subtyping of influenza A H3N2 virus and H1N1 (2009) virus by multiplex real-time PCR

A multiplex real-time PCR assay was developed to simultaneously detect and discriminate influenza A virus subtypes, including novel H1N1 (2009) and seasonal H3N2 virus, influenza B virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in a single test tube, with detection sensitivity and specificity of 99% and 100%, respectively, for the four pathogens.     

Simultaneous detection of influenza viruses A and B using real-time quantitative PCR

Since influenza viruses can cause severe illness, timely diagnosis is important for an adequate intervention. The available rapid detection methods either lack sensitivity or require complex laboratory manipulation. This study describes a rapid, sensitive detection method that can be easily applied to routine diagnosis. This method simultaneously detects influenza viruses A and B in specimens of patients with respiratory infections using a TaqMan-based real-time PCR assay. Primers and probes were selected from highly conserved regions of the matrix protein gene of influenza virus A and the hemagglutinin gene segment of influenza virus B. The applicability of this multiplex PCR was evaluated with 27 influenza virus A and 9 influenza virus B reference strains and isolates. In addition, the specificity of the assay was assessed using eight reference strains of other respiratory viruses (parainfluenza viruses 1 to 3, respiratory syncytial virus Long strain, rhinoviruses 1A and 14, and coronaviruses OC43 and 229E) and 30 combined nose and throat swabs from asymptomatic subjects. Electron microscopy-counted stocks of influenza viruses A and B were used to develop a quantitative PCR format. Thirteen copies of viral RNA were detected for influenza virus A, and 11 copies were detected for influenza virus B, equaling 0.02 and 0.006 50% tissue culture infective doses, respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of the multiplex TaqMan-based PCR was determined by testing 98 clinical samples. This real-time PCR technique was found to be more sensitive than the combination of conventional viral culturing and shell vial culturing.     

双重荧光定量RT—PCR在快速检测A、B型流感病毒上的应用

目的 建立双重荧光定量RT-PCR技术同时快速检测A、B型流感病毒,并应用于临床样本的检测.方法 在A型流感病毒M基因和B型流感病毒HA基因的保守区序列分别设计特异性引物和Taqman探针,建立优化双重荧光RT-PCR反应体系,评价所建双重RT-PCR反应体系的特异性、敏感性和稳定性,并应用于疑似流感含漱液标本检测.结果 该方法对A、B型流感病毒检测具有高度特异性,检出限分别为0.1TCID50和0.01TCID50,具有较好的稳定性.可从疑似流感患者含漱液中直接检测到流感病毒核酸.结论 本研究建立的双重荧光定量RT-PCR可以同时准确分型A、B型流感病毒,灵敏度高,稳定性好,是一种快速检测流感病毒的新方法.     

A SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR assay for detection and differentiation of influenza A(H1N1) virus in swine populations

The novel influenza A(H1N1) virus that emerged recently in Mexico has spread rapidly to many countries and initiated a human pandemic. It would be interesting to determine whether the virus has existed in, or will spread to, the swine population. However, it is difficult to differentiate the virus from some swine influenza viruses. In this study, a SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for detection and differentiation of influenza A(H1N1) virus from some swine influenza viruses, by comparing the amplification of two pairs of primers corresponding to influenza A(H1N1) virus and some swine influenza viruses, respectively. The assay was evaluated using online analysis, identified influenza viruses and clinical samples. The results indicated that the assay has high sensitivity and specificity to detect influenza A(H1N1) virus, and is able to differentiate it from some swine influenza viruses. This, in turn, could provide essential epidemiological information for risk analysis and decision making in combating the disease, and stimulate research to differentiate pathogens similar to each other using the same method.     

Singleplex real-time RT-PCR for detection of influenza A virus and simultaneous differentiation of A/H1N1v and evaluation of the RealStar influenza kit

BackgroundA novel influenza A virus, subtype A/H1N1v emerged in April 2009 and caused the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. Reliable detection and differentiation from seasonal influenza viruses is mandatory for appropriate case management as well as public health.ObjectivesTo develop and technically validate a novel one-step real-time RT-PCR assay which can be used for influenza A virus screening and subtyping of A/H1N1v in a singleplex fashion. To assess the clinical performance of a novel commercial influenza RT-PCR kit based on the in-house version.Study designA real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the matrix gene of influenza A viruses was developed and validated using in vitro transcribed RNA derived from influenza A/H1N1v, A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 virus as well as plaque-quantified influenza A/H1N1v, A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 virus samples. After validation of the in-house version the commercial RealStar kit was used to assess the clinical performance and specificity on a panel of influenza viruses including A/H1N1v, A/H1N1, swine A/H1N1, A/H3N2, avian A/H5N1 as well as patient specimens.ResultsThe lower limit of detection of the in-house version was 2149, 1376 and 2994 RNA copies/ml for A/H1N1v, A/H1N1 and A/H3N2, respectively. The RealStar kit displayed 100% sensitivity and specificity and could reliably discriminate influenza A viruses from A/H1N1v. No cross reaction with swine A/H1N1 and A/H1N2 was observed with the RealStar A/H1N1v specific probe.ConclusionBoth assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity and might assist in the diagnosis of suspected influenza cases.