Evolving Gene Targets and Technology in Influenza Detection

Abstract

Influenza viruses cause recurring epidemic outbreaks every year associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive research and surveillance efforts to control influenza outbreaks, the primary mitigation treatment for influenza is the development of yearly vaccine mixes targeted for the most prevalent virus strains. Consequently, the focus of many detection technologies has evolved toward accurate identification of subtype and understanding the evolution and molecular determinants of novel and pathogenic forms of influenza. The recent availability of potential antiviral treatments are only effective if rapid and accurate diagnostic tests for influenza epidemic management are available; thus, early detection of influenza infection is still important for prevention, containment, patient management, and infection control. This review discusses the current and emerging technologies for detection and strain identification of influenza virus and their specific gene targets, as well as their implications in patient management.

Cross species influenza: emerging zoonosis

“…Serological monitoring is usually done for supporting the surveillance program [13,14] . Nevertheless, with the good molecular biology technology, the present trend is to monitor the genetic components of the circulating influenza virus in both humans and animals [15] . This new technique is proposed to be the best tool for the surveillance of new emerging influenza zoonosis at present [16] .…”