Multiplex PCR tests sentinel the appearance of pandemic influenza viruses including H1N1 swine influenza.
BACKGROUND
Since the turn of the century seven new respiratory viruses have infected man and two of these have resulted in worldwide epidemics. Both SARS Coronavirus which quickly spread to 29 countries in February 2003 and H1N1 swine influenza that recently spread from Mexico to 30 countries in three weeks represent major pandemic threats for mankind. Diagnostic assays are required to detect novel influenza strains with pandemic potential.


OBJECTIVE
In this report we evaluate the ability of a multiplex PCR test (xTAG RVP) to detect new, "non-seasonal" influenza viruses including the H1N1 swine influenza A/swine/California/04/2009.


METHODS
Laboratory based study using retrospective and prospective specimens.


RESULTS
This multiplex PCR test detected the present of non-seasonal (non-H1, non-H3) influenza in 20 of 20 patients infected with H1N1 swine flu virus. In addition to detecting the current swine flu the xTAG RVP test detected the H5N1 A/Vietnam/1203/2004 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus that circulated in South East Asia in 2003 as well as 17 out of 17 influenza A viruses representing 11 HA subtypes isolated from birds, swine and horses not yet seen in the human population.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results we believe that this molecular test can perform an important role as a sentinel test to detect novel non-seasonal influenza A viruses in patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) and therefore act as an early warning system for the detection of future pandemic influenza threats.
Mahony
James B
JB
Department of Medicine, Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster University and the Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Center, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Canada. mahonyj@mcmaster.ca
Hatchette
Todd
T
Ojkic
Davor
D
Drews
Steven J
SJ
Gubbay
Jonathan
J
Low
Donald E
DE
Petric
Martin
M
Tang
Patrick
P
Chong
Sylvia
S
Luinstra
Kathy
K
Petrich
Astrid
A
Smieja
Marek
M
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000821:virology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000662:veterinary / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine