Development of National Protocols for the Detection of Influenza A H5N1

Funded Activity Summary

This project will develop a best practice approach to the diagnosis of influenza A H5N1 (Bird Flu) in Australian public health laboratories. Tests such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are in use globally for influenza A H5N1 detection. Some proprietary rapid influenza A tests also claim to detect influenza A H5N1. However there is little information on systematic evaluation of these, largely because there have been relatively few human influenza A H5N1 cases and patient specimens. Australian laboratories need authoritative guidelines as to optimal influenza tests, target genes and reagents. Development of a simple, potentially automated type specific test for influenza A H5N1 antibody such as enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is also desirable, as widely used tests cannot distinguish between infection with H5 or other influenza types. Reference methods such as haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) are cumbersome. In this project mock specimens for virus and antibody detection will be created using viral cell culture and infected chicken derived influenza A H5N1. This will be undertaken in physical containment level 4 (PC4) facilities in Australia's designated human and animal PC4 laboratories. This material will be used for (i) specimen panels to compare the performance of candidate laboratory tests (ii) positive control material in all tests undertaken and (iii) quality assurance exercises to ensure high standards of testing. Using these panels the group will assess influenza H5N1 RT-PCR, tests for detection of influenza proteins including immunofluorescence, and rapid point of care influenza A detection tests available in Australia. An EIA method currently used to detect influenza antibodies from different animal species will be refined to develop a simple test for type specific detection influenza A H5N1 antibodies, and subsequently evaluated using animal sera. A standard method for HAI reference serology for use in public health laboratories will also be recommended, and the best approaches to high throughput automated RT-PCR, and performing RT-PCR in the field on portable instrumentation will be explored. Recommendations for standard protocols for influenza A H5N1 will be developed and will submitted for review and endorsement by Commonwealth ministerial advisory committees.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2006

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Strategic Awards

Funding Amount: $248,229.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical Virology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Acute respiratory infection | Evidence based practice | Guidelines | Influenza | Molecular diagnosis

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