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Testing for the
Influenza Virus H5N1 (Bird Flu) is done by real time PCR
from clinical specimens.
For complete information
regarding testing for H5N1 virus, please go to the
CDC website.
Specimen
Collection
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Oropharyngeal swab specimens and lower
respiratory tract specimens (bronchoalveolar lavage and tracheal
aspirates) are preferred as they contain high viral loads.
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Nasopharyngeal swabs are also accepted but
less preferred.
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Specimens are best collected within three
days of illness.
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Swabs should have Dacron tip and aluminium
or plastic shaft (not wooden). Specimens should
be kept refrigerated.
Viral transport media are
suggested to be used for swabs.
For reverse transcriptase
PCR, nucleic acid extraction lysis buffer can be added to specimens
before refrigeration and sent to laboratory on ice.
Influenza virus is an RNA
virus and so it is important to keep all samples in a cool place and
maintained as such even during transport in order to maintain
integrity of RNA.
Turnaround time
5 working days.
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