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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
High-throughput Detection Method for Influenza Virus
Published on: February 4, 2012
[Application of fluorescent real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in detecting influenza viruses]
Xiao-wen Cheng1, Li Zhou, Jin Zhao
1Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Shenzhen 518020, China.
Objective:
To apply fluorescent real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in detecting influenza viruses.
Methods:
A total of 207 oral swab samples were obtained in 16 collections from SARS patients and suspected influenza outbreak cases. They were subjected to influenza virus detection by fluorescent real-time RT-PCR, MDCK cell culture, and hemagglutinin inhibition assay.
Results:
Out of 207 samples, 79 (38.16%) were positive for influenza viruses when tested by fluorescent real-time PCR, and 62 (29.95%) positive when tested by MDCK cell culture. There was a statistically significant difference between them (chi square=8.64, P less than 0.005). From 104 cases in 9 collections dual serum samples were obtainable. When tested with hemagglutinin inhibition assay, 64 cases (61.54%) showed a 4-fold increase against H3N2 antigen.
Conclusion:
This study showed that fluorescent real-time PCR is a reliable, sensitive, and fast method for detecting influenza viruses.
