title: Comparison of nucleic acid-based detection of avian influenza H5N1 with virus isolation.
abstract: Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification with electrochemiluminescent detection (NASBA/ECL) of avian influenza virus was compared with viral culture in embryonated chicken eggs. Virus was isolated from blood or anal swabs of chickens artificially infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A/Chicken/Hong Kong/1000/97 (H5N1). Viral nucleic acid was detected in blood samples by NASBA/ECL immediately prior to death, whilst nucleic acid extracted from anal swabs was detected from the day following artificial infection until death. Thus, blood and/or anal swabs are a suitable source of material for the detection of avian influenza in dead birds, but anal swabs are more suitable for detection of viral genetic material in live birds. Dilution of a known viral standard was used to determine the limit of sensitivity for both NASBA/ECL and egg culture detection methods. The NASBA/ECL method was equivalent in sensitivity to egg culture. The NASBA/ECL results agreed with egg culture data in 71/94 (75.5%) tissue samples obtained from artificially infected birds.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, China.
authors.forename: Songhua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Lung-Sang
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Zhongliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jiahua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ka-Yun
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Lok-Ting
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Albert Cheung-Hoi
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods*