A rapid and sensitive real-time reverse transcription PCR for the pathotyping of South African H5N2 avian influenza viruses

Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2008 Dec;75(4):347-51. doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v75i4.110.

Abstract

A Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) real-time reverse-transcription (rRT-PCR) assay was developed that distinguishes stains of South African and European highly pathogenic (HPAI) from low pathogenicity (LPAI) H5 avian influenza viruses in the absence of virus isolation, irrespective of the length of insertion at the hemagglutinin cleavage site (H0). The assay was used to pathotype H5-type viruses detected by rRT-PCR in ostrich tracheal swabs collected during the 2006 HPAI H5N2 outbreak in the Western Cape Province.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / genetics*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N2 Subtype / pathogenicity*
  • Influenza in Birds / virology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sequence Alignment
  • South Africa
  • Struthioniformes / virology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • RNA, Viral