title: [Design and implementation of a molecular method for influenza A virus (H1N1) in Cuba].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From March through April of 2009, Mexico notified outbreaks of respiratory illness, due to a new influenza virus of swine origin, which spread over rapidly via human-to-human transmission. The molecular methods currently in use were not suitable because the genome composition based on gene segments of swine, avian and human origin was quite different from the influenza A virus (H1N1) circulating at that time.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Based on the published sequences, a set of specific primers for the HA gene was designed to evaluate a new RT-PCR assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  The RT-PCR assay processed 3 197 clinical samples from suspected cases of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The novel optimized method obtained a 262 pb segment, without unspecific reactions. The new method proved to be useful in the diagnosis and subtyping of pandemic HINI influenza virus. The amplified product was verified by nucleotide sequencing, thus confirming the virus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of this new assay for the laboratory surveillance of influenza virus strengthens the diagnostic capacity of the National Reference Laboratory.
authors: Departamento de Virología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kouri" (IPK), La Habana, Cuba. odalys@ipk.sld.cu
authors: Odalys
authors: O
authors: Valdés Ramírez
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Piñón Ramos
authors: Belsy
authors: B
authors: Acosta Herrera
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Savón Valdés
authors: Grehete
authors: G
authors: González Muñoz
authors: Amely
authors: A
authors: Arencibia García
authors: Elías
authors: E
authors: Guilarte García
authors: Guelsys
authors: G
authors: González Báez
authors: Suset
authors: S
authors: Oropeza Fernández
authors: Bárbara
authors: B
authors: Hernández Espinosa
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Goyenechea Hernández
mesh_terms: D003462:Cuba; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods