[Detection of influenza virus by RT-PCR]

RT-PCR is the sensitive and rapid diagnostic method of influenza virus infection. Using appropriate primers, RT-PCR is capable of detecting and typing or subtyping of influenza A and B viruses simultaneously from a clinical specimen. Compared with virus culture in MDCK cells, Little or no increase has been observed in detection rate of influenza viruses in respiratory tract-derived specimens. The procedure is valuable, however, in dealing with specimens containing predominantly inactivated virus(as a result of prolonged storage) as well as those that may contain very few infectious viruses(e.g. cerebrospinal fluid and blood). Even in these cases, however, it is preferable that RT-PCR is made in combination with other traditional, diagnostic methods.