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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes
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Use of an Influenza Antigen Microarray to Measure the Breadth of Serum Antibodies Across Virus Subtypes

Published on: July 26, 2019

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Investigating the sequence variation in the influenza A matrix genes during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons in

James Finch1, Mark Zuckerman1, Melvyn Smith1

  • 1Viapath Analytics, South London Specialist Virology Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, United Kingdom.

Journal of Virological Methods
|August 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Mutations in the influenza A virus M1 gene did not impact current RT-PCR diagnostic assay performance. Routine sequencing is recommended to monitor future changes and ensure assay reliability.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Diagnostic Assays

Background:

  • Emerging mutations in the M1 gene of influenza A (H1N1pdm09 and H3N2) can affect RT-PCR assay performance.
  • Previous studies indicated potential impacts on diagnostic sensitivity and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and impact of M1 gene mutations on influenza A RT-PCR assays.
  • To re-design primers and assess their performance against identified mutations.

Main Methods:

  • Respiratory samples from the 2018/2019 season were analyzed using in-house RT-PCR.
  • Sequencing of the M1 gene for H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 subtypes.
  • Performance assessment of original and re-designed RT-PCR primers.

Main Results:

  • All sequenced samples (11 H1N1pdm09, 34 H3N2) showed characteristic M1 gene mutations.
  • No significant impact on RT-PCR sensitivity or efficiency was observed with existing mutations.
  • Re-designed primers did not show improved performance compared to the routine assay.

Conclusions:

  • Identified M1 gene mutations in influenza A subtypes did not compromise the current RT-PCR diagnostic assay.
  • Continuous monitoring through routine sequencing is crucial to detect future mutations that may affect assay performance.
  • Proactive surveillance ensures the sustained accuracy of influenza A diagnostics.
Keywords:
Diagnostic testingInfluenza A virusMatrix geneReal-time reverse transcription PCRRespiratory virus

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