title: Correlation Between the Interval of Influenza Virus Infectivity and Results of Diagnostic Assays in a Ferret Model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between influenza virus infectivity and virus shedding, based on different diagnostic methods, has not been defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three donor ferrets infected with 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) underwent daily quantitative culture, antigen-detection testing, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Eight contacts were sequentially cohoused with each of the donors for 24 hours during days 3-10 after inoculation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transmission was observed until day 5 after inoculation, corresponding to high culture titers and positive results of antigen-detection tests. Real-time RT-PCR showed no relation to the cessation of transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antigen-detection testing and virus culture but not real-time RT-PCR identified the end of the infectious period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inagaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Min-Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Jeri-Carol
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Crumpton
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeBeauchamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Trushar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jeevan
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Elaine I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Tuomanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Webby
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hakim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D005289:Ferrets; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014776:Virus Cultivation; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral
keywords: PCR; antigen detection; culture; infectious period; infectivity; influenza; transmission