The current standard methods for subtyping hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) proteins of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), such as hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NI) tests, respectively, have disadvantages such as narrow coverage of diverse HA and NA genes, cross- or non-specific reactivity, as well as limitation of antiserum supply. We developed a PCR-based test for subtyping HA and NA genes of AIVs to supplement the standard tests. Our results indicate that the PCR-based subtyping test is broadly reactive, sensitive, and specific when compared with the standard serological tests. All HA and NA genes from 167 AIVs isolated from migratory ducks could be successfully subtyped. Moreover, the H5 and H7 HA genes tested were molecularly pathotyped by sequencing the PCR products with their respective primers. These results showed that the PCR-based subtyping test is a powerful tool to supplement the standard subtyping tests.
(Research Team for Zoonotic Diseases, TEL +81-29-838-7708)
References:
- Tsukamoto, K. et al. (2008) J. Clin. Microbiol. 46:3048-3055.
- Tsukamoto, K. et al. (2009) J. Clin. Microbiol. 47:2301-2303.
