Evaluation of two commercial real-time PCR kits for detection of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus in Beijing

► The performance of two commercial real-time PCR kits for the detection of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus was evaluated. ► Sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and PCR efficiency of the two kits were assessed. ► This study will make public health workers aware of the performance characteristics of these clinical diagnostic kits.