Direct reverse transcriptase PCR to determine virulence potential of influenza A viruses in birds

• Published in: Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1995-03, Vol.33 (3), p.748-751
• Main Authors: Horimoto, T. (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN.), Kawaoka, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGGLUTININE; AGLUTININAS; Animals; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Birds - virology; Chick Embryo; Chickens; DNA, Viral - analysis; EXPERIMENTACION IN VIVO; EXPERIMENTATION IN VIVO; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GENE; GENES; Hemagglutinins, Viral - classification; Hemagglutinins, Viral - genetics; INFECCION EXPERIMENTAL; INFECTION EXPERIMENTALE; Influenza A virus - genetics; Influenza A virus - isolation & purification; Influenza A virus - pathogenicity; Influenza in Birds - virology; INFLUENZAVIRUS AVIAIRE; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; PATOGENICIDAD; PCR; POLLO; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; POULET; POUVOIR PATHOGENE; Techniques used in virology; Transcription, Genetic; Virology; Virulence; VIRUS DE LA INFLUENZA AVIAR
• ISSN: 0095-1137; 1098-660X
• DOI: 10.1128/JCM.33.3.748-751.1995

A reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was used for rapid determination of the hemagglutinin (HA) cleavage site sequence, a marker for the virulence potential of avian influenza viruses. When applied to specimens from chickens experimentally infected with either a virulent or an avirulent virus, RT-PCR uniformly detected the HA gene, even in specimens that were negative for virus by standard testing in eggs. This technique, combined with sequencing of the HA cleavage site, offers a rapid and sensitive way to assess the virulence potential of avian influenza viruses. Early detection of field isolates with virulence-associated structural motifs at the HA cleavage site would allow better control of influenza among large poultry populations