Avian influenza

Test codes:

A0001 - Rapid antigen test for influenza.  This assay detects but does not differentiate most known strains of influenza A viruses, including H5N1, H5N2, H1N1, H2N2, H3N8, H4N6, H7N7, H8N4 and H9N2.

S0077 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of influenza virus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This assay detects but does not differentiate most known strains of influenza A viruses, including H5N1, H5N2, H1N1, H2N2, H3N8, H4N6, H7N7, H8N4 and H9N2.
S0077 is included in the poultry respiratory panel

Several subtypes and strains of influenza viruses can infect humans, birds, swine, horses, and other animals. The natural reservoir for these viruses is wild birds, and birds are only susceptible to influenza A viruses. Genetic differences in the influenza viruses that typically infect humans and birds exist that prevent cross-species infection. However, some of the avian influenza viruses have recently been identified in human patients with high morbidity and mortality rates. This has caused intense concern in the medical and public health communities worldwide that one of these avian influenza strains could cause a new pandemic of influenza against which humans have little or no immunity.

There are three prominent subtypes of avian influenza A virus. They are classified by the hemagglutinin proteins on their surfaces: H5, H7, and H9. Furthermore, these viruses can be divided in “low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)” and “high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)” forms, depending on the severity of disease they cause in birds. Wild birds may not become ill when infected. However, domestic poultry, such as chickens and turkeys, may become sick and die, especially with “high pathogenic” forms of the viruses. It is also known that low pathogenicity avian viruses can evolve into high pathogenicity viruses. Although the relationship of avian pathogenicity to disease potentially caused by these viruses in humans is unclear at this moment, both LPAI and HPAI outbreaks in birds are of concern.

Due to the airborne nature of the disease, infection of one bird can swiftly spread to an entire flock. Rapid and affordable antigen testing of suspected avian influenza cases is thus essential to control the spread of the disease. If the result is negative but the bird exhibits symptoms of respiratory infection, Zoologix also offers reflex testing of the same sample by PCR in a comprehensive and highly sensitive panel of common avian respiratory pathogens. This testing strategy avoids the delay and cost of re-drawing and shipping additional samples.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Environmental monitoring
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of influenza infection.
• Help ensure that flocks are free of this virus
• Early prevention of spread of this virus
• Minimize human exposure to this virus
• Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from birds

Specimen requirements: Tracheal swab or nasopharyngeal swab.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround times:
A0001 - 1 business day
S0077- 2 business days

Methodologies:
A0001 - Qualitative rapid antigen test
S0077 - Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected