New York: Scientists in the US have
developed a rapid and automated swine flu testing method that
will enable quick and effective diagnosis decisions.
Researchers from the Wisconsin Medical College and
Children`s Hospital have developed a rapid and automated
system to differentiate strains of influenza, Journal of
Molecular Diagnostics reported.
The method -- Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase
Polymerase Chain Reaction (real-time RT-PCR) is a sensitive
and specific method for identifying flu substrains; however,
technician and assay time are significantly longer than less
accurate rapid influenza diagnostic tests.
The team led by Dr Kelly J Henrickson of the Medical
College of Wisconsin said, the test which will detect
influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
in no time, is needed in order to make quick and effective
public health decisions in time of pandemic infection.
The test can successfully detect human H1N1, H3N2, and
swine-origin H1N1 viruses as well as distinguish these from
influenza B and RSV infections, Henrickson said.
He said, these assays could test large numbers of
samples over a very short time, allowing for a significant
decrease in both technician and assay time.
PTI
