Detection of pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus by multiplex reverse transcription-PCR with a GeXP analyzer

A novel application of the GeXP genetic analysis system for the differential detection of pandemic influenza A H1N1 from seasonal influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 is described. The assay was evaluated using identified influenza viruses and clinical samples. The results indicate that the assay is both highly sensitive and specific for the detection of the pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus with a detection limit of 10 copies per reaction superior to that of assays in use currently. The assay is able to detect potential mixed infections. This technique has the potential to provide both a powerful method to enhance surveillance of influenza and a platform for investigating the differentiation of other similar pathogens.