Detection of pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

The first case of pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 infection was reported in Mexico in mid-April, 2009, and to date the new H1N1 virus has spread to over 160 countries. Therefore, it is important to obtain reliable epidemiological data on the spread of this virus by novel molecular methods can be developed in detection of this new infectious agent. A new method was developed for detection of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Direct comparison with the specific primers and probes recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrates that the new method has a much greater sensitivity, and may thus be employed as a rapid, alternative method in detecting of the pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus.