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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300515
Title: Avian influenza virus detection and quantitation by real-time RT-PCR

Author
item Spackman, Erica

Submitted to: Animal Influenza Virus
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2014
Publication Date: 6/11/2014
Citation: Spackman, E. 2014. Avian influenza virus detection and quantitation by real-time RT-PCR. In: Spackman, E., editor. Animal Influenza Virus: Methods in Molecular Biology. Volume 1161. London: Humana Press. p. 105-118.

Interpretive Summary: Real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) has been used for avian influenza virus (AIV) detection since the early 2000’s for routine surveillance, during outbreaks and for research. Some of the advantages of rRT-PCR are: high sensitivity, high specificity, rapid time-to-result, scalability, cost, and its inherently quantitative nature. Furthermore, rRT-PCR can be used with numerous sample types, is less expensive than virus isolation in chicken embryos, and since infectious virus is inactivated early during processing, biosafety and bio-security are also easier to maintain. However the high genetic variability of AIV may decrease sensitivity and increases the chances of a false negative result. This chapter will provide an overview of the USDA validated rRT-PCR procedure for the detection of type A influenza.

Technical Abstract: Real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) has been used for avian influenza virus (AIV) detection since the early 2000’s for routine surveillance, during outbreaks and for research. Some of the advantages of rRT-PCR are: high sensitivity, high specificity, rapid time-to-result, scalability, cost, and its inherently quantitative nature. Furthermore, rRT-PCR can be used with numerous sample types, is less expensive than virus isolation in chicken embryos, and since infectious virus is inactivated early during processing, biosafety and bio-security are also easier to maintain. However the high genetic variability of AIV may decrease sensitivity and increases the chances of a false negative result. This chapter will provide an overview of the USDA validated rRT-PCR procedure for the detection of type A influenza.