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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262335
Title: An evaluation of optimal methods for avian influenza virus sample collection

Author
item Spackman, Erica
item McKinley, Enid

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2011
Publication Date: 7/19/2011
Citation: Spackman, E., Mckinley, E.T. 2011. An evaluation of optimal methods for avian influenza virus sample collection [abstract]. American Association of Avian Pathologists Annual Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri, July 16-19, 2011. CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sample collection and transport are critical components of any diagnostic testing program and due to the amount of avian influenza virus (AIV) testing in the U.S. and worldwide, small improvements in sensitivity and specificity can translate into substantial cost savings from better test accuracy. Also, details on optimal testing can provide valuable information for developing optimal testing programs for different compartments and situations. Some elements of AIV sample collection that weevaluated are swab type and transport conditions. New technological advances in swab technology have show improvements in test sensitivity for seasonal influenza testing. Therefore we evaluated the performance of urethane foam, nylon flocked swabs, and standard Dacron swabs for the detection of low pathogenicity AIV from oral and cloacal swabs from experimentally infected chickens by virus isolation, real-time RT-PCR and commercial antigen detection assay. We also evaluated the effect of different transport conditions, wet in media or dry in a culturette, on virus detection and recovery from chickens experimentally infected with AIV.