Journal of virological methods
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Efforts to develop novel neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) for the treatment of influenza are ongoing. Novel NAIs should in particular be also effective against seasonal and/or pandemic N1 that carry a H274Y or N294S substitution (N2 numbering), which are most commonly linked to oseltamivir resistance. Here we report a platform for profiling the efficacy of novel NAIs in the N1 genetic background of influenza A virus. ⋯ Besides confirming the inhibition profile of zanamivir and oseltamivir, the distinct effect of I427Q/M on the activity of both NAIs was shown. For 5-amidino and 5-guanidino analogs of oseltamivir a significantly stronger inhibition of virus variants carrying a NA-H274Y was confirmed, and additionally shown for NA-N294S and NA-Y155H substitutions as compared to the parent compound. Hence, the herein presented profiling platform is a valid tool for defining the inhibition profile of novel NAIs in the N1 background.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) direct antigen detection assays for use in point-of-care testing.
RSV infections cause lower respiratory tract infections and result in surges in physician's office, emergency department visits and hospitalizations, especially in infants and toddlers. Point-of-care (POC) testing reduces healthcare costs and permits informed decisions on treatment, however, optimal POC assays must be sensitive, easy to perform and provide rapid results. A prospective study tested 230 patient nasopharyngeal specimens using 4 RSV direct antigen detection assays (Directigen, Quickvue, Sofia and Veritor) and RT-PCR. ⋯ Objective result reporting, walk away testing and high sensitivity make the Sofia a valuable choice for POC testing. Veritor's sensitivity may also render it acceptable in POC. Lack of objective results by Directigen and the poor sensitivity observed by Quickvue may preclude their value in diagnostic testing.
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The first case of avian influenza A/H7N9 infection was reported in Shanghai in mid-February, 2013; by May 1, 2013, it had infected 127 people and caused 26 deaths in 10 provinces in China. Therefore, it is important to obtain reliable epidemiological data on the spread of this new infectious agent, a need that may be best met by the development of novel molecular methods. Here, a new method was described for the detection of avian influenza A/H7N9 using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). ⋯ Thirteen throat swabs from H7N9 patients were tested; all tested positive in the assay. Specificity was evaluated by testing 18 other subtypes of influenza viruses; all tested negative. A total of 180 throat swabs from patients infected with influenza virus, including 60 from patients infected with seasonal influenza A/H1N1 virus, 60 from patients infected with pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 virus, 30 from patients infected with seasonal influenza A/H3N2 virus and 30 from patients infected with influenza B virus, were also tested; all tested negative.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of five rapid diagnostic kits for influenza A/B virus.
Influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, even during periods of epidemic prevalence, clinical diagnoses are problematic. Rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of pandemic influenza A/B virus are valuable for their ease of use. ⋯ The specificity of all rapid tests was 100%. Commercial influenza antigen detection assays are useful tools for the rapid diagnosis of influenza. However, confirmatory testing is always recommended.