title: Rapid detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus by TaqMan reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) H5N1 viruses have been spreading from Asia since late 2003. Early detection and classification are paramount for control of the disease because these viruses are lethal to birds and have caused fatalities in humans. Here, we described TaqMan reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays for rapid detection of all AI viruses (influenza type A) and for identification of H5N1 of the Eurasian lineage. The assays were sensitive and quantitative over a 10(5)-10(6) linear range, detected all of the tested AI viruses, and enabled differentiation between H5 and H7 subtypes. These tests allow definitive confirmation of an AI virus as H5 within hours, which is crucial for rapid implementation of control measures in the event of an outbreak.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Livestock Industries, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong Vic 3220, Australia.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trinidad
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Selleck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lowther
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000821:virology; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*