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.

Influenza is a severe acute upper respiratory infection, and typical symptoms include pyrexia, dyspnea, anorexia and coughing. Several different subtypes and strains of influenza viruses infect humans, felids, canids, suids, birds, equids and other animal species.

Among these various strains, the avian influenza viruses have been a particular concern in recent years. The natural reservoir for these viruses is wild birds, and birds are only susceptible to influenza A viruses, but these strains can be passed from birds to other species.

For example, large cats in zoos can be infected with avian influenza. In December 2003, two tigers and two leopards that were fed fresh chicken carcasses from a local slaughterhouse died at a zoo in Thailand. Avian influenza virus H5N1 was identified in their tissue samples. In February and March 2004, the virus was detected in a clouded leopard and white tiger, respectively, both of which died in a zoo near Bangkok. In October 2004, 147 of 441 captive tigers in a zoo in Thailand died or were euthanized as a result of infection after being fed raw chicken carcasses. Results of a subsequent investigation suggested that at least some tiger-to-tiger transmission occurred in that facility.

Due to the airborne nature of the disease, infection of one animal can quickly and easily spread to other animals and in some cases to and from humans. Rapid and affordable testing of suspected influenza cases is thus essential to control the spreading of the disease. PCR is a fast, sensitive and specific method for detection of influenza virus in a sample.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of influenza
• Help ensure that primate colonies are free of influenza
• Early prevention of spread of this virus
• Minimize personnel exposure to this virus

Specimen requirements:

Preferred sample - nasopharyngeal swab.

Less preferred sample - 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube.

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