ABSTRACT
To determine the efficacy of cell culture, immunoflourescence Assay [IFA] and real time polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR] in relation to diagnosis of influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus [RSV]. Total 2781 specimens of throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from patients suspected of respiratory viruses' infections from January 2009 to December 2011 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC].The specimens were processed by cell culture and immunoflurescence assay [IFA] and [rRT-PCR]. Thirty three [1.19%] specimens were positive for influenza virus A and 42 [1.51%] were positive for RSV by cell culture and IFA. On the other hand, rRT-PCR was able to identify 189 of 505 [37.43%] specimens in which 65 were influenza A virus and 124 were RSV. Sensitivity of rRT-PCR was 100% for both influenza A virus and RSV and specificity was 88% and 77% for influenza A virus and RSV, respectively. rRT-PCR diagnosed respiratory viruses in shorter time with a high level of sensitivity in comparison to conventional assays - cell culture and IFA. These advantages help in managing patients by saving cost and hospitalization stay
ABSTRACT
Objective: Influenza is considered as an emerging disease until today
The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalent genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia
Methods: Influenza A virus was identified from respiratory specimens by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR]
Phylogenetic analysis of the identified isolates was performed and genotypes were detected
Results: A total number of 505 throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined by rRT-PCR at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC] in which 65[12.87%] were positive for influenza A
The identified isolates were successfully genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. The identified influenza A genotypes were: H1N1 [42], H3N2 [20] and H5N1 [3]
Conclusion: The findings indicated that 3 genotypes were circulating in Malaysia during 2011 in which H1N1 was the predominant. Results added new genotype [H5N1] identification record in Malaysia that may be added in data base of WHO and CDC