avian & livestock assay data sheet
Influenza type A
NOTE: THIS TEST IS NOT PERFORMED
ON SAMPLES TAKEN FROM BIRDS OWNED OR LOCATED IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.
Test
code: S0077
- Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of influenza A virus by reverse transcription coupled real time polymerase chain reaction. This assay detects
but does not differentiate most known strains of influenza A viruses,
including H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H3N8, H4N6,
H5N1, H5N2, H7N2, H7N7, H8N4 and H9N2.
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 other 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.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix 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 time: 2 business days
Methodology:
Qualitative reverse transcription coupled real time PCR
Normal range:
Nondetected