Rapid and sensitive detection of avian influenza virus subtype H7 using NASBA

Establishment of two assays based on reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification technology for rapid detection of H5 subtype avian influenza virus

IMPORTANCE

Avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5 is a highly contagious zoonotic disease and a serious threat to the farming industry and public health. Traditional detection methods, including virus isolation and real-time PCR, require tertiary biological laboratories and are time-consuming and complex to perform, making it difficult to rapidly diagnose H5 subtype avian influenza viruses. In this study, we successfully developed two methods, namely, RF-RT-RAA and RT-RAA-LFD, for rapid detection of H5-AIV. The assays are characterized by their high specificity, sensitivity, and user-friendliness. Moreover, the results of the reaction can be visually assessed, which are suitable for both laboratory testing and grassroots farm screening for H5-AIV.

Rapid and effective detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus using a combination of nucleic acid sequence-based amplification test and immunochromatographic strip

Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) provides a fast and convenient approach for nucleic acid amplification under isothermal conditions, and its combination with an immunoassay-based lateral flow dipstick (LFD) could produce a higher detection efficiency for M. rosenbergii nodavirus isolated from China (MrNV-chin). In this study, two specific primers and a labelled probe of the capsid protein gene of MrNV-chin were constructed. The process of this assay mainly included a single-step amplification at a temperature of 41 ℃ for 90 min, and hybridization with an FITC-labeled probe for 5 min, with the hybridization been required for visual identification during LFD assay. The test results indicated that, the NASBA-LFD assay showed sensitivity for 1.0 fg M. rosenbergii total RNA with MrNV-chin infection, which was 10⁴ times that of the present RT-PCR approach for the detection of MrNV. In addition, no products were created for shrimps with infection of other kinds of either DNA or RNA virus, which indicated that the NASBA-LFD was specific for MrNV. Therefore, the combination of NASBA and LFD is a new alternative detection method for MrNV which is rapid, accurate, sensitive and specific without expensive equipment and specialised personnel. Early detection of this infectious disease among aquatic organisms will help implement efficient therapeutic strategy to prevent its spread, enhance animal health and limit loss of aquatic breeds in the event of an outbreak.

Reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for H5 subtype avian influenza virus

Background

The H5 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) has caused huge economic losses to the poultry industry and is a threat to human health. A rapid and simple test is needed to confirm infection in suspected cases during disease outbreaks.

Methods

In this study, we developed a reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay for the detection of H5 subtype AIV. Assays were performed at a single temperature (39 °C), and the results were obtained within 20 min.

Results

The assay showed no cross-detection with Newcastle disease virus or infectious bronchitis virus. The analytical sensitivity was 10³ RNA copies/μL at a 95% confidence interval according to probit regression analysis, with 100% specificity. Compared with published reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, the κ value of the RT-RAA assay in 420 avian clinical samples was 0.983 (p < 0.001). The sensitivity for avian clinical sample detection was 97.26% (95% CI, 89.56–99.52%), and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 98.64–100%).

Conclusions

These results indicated that our RT-RAA assay may be a valuable tool for detecting H5 subtype AIV.

Advances and insights in the diagnosis of viral infections

Viral infections are the most common among diseases that globally require around 60 percent of medical care. However, in the heat of the pandemic, there was a lack of medical equipment and inpatient facilities to provide all patients with viral infections. The detection of viral infections is possible in three general ways such as (i) direct virus detection, which is performed immediately 1-3 days after the infection, (ii) determination of antibodies against some virus proteins mainly observed during/after virus incubation period, (iii) detection of virus-induced disease when specific tissue changes in the organism. This review surveys some global pandemics from 1889 to 2020, virus types, which induced these pandemics, and symptoms of some viral diseases. Non-analytical methods such as radiology and microscopy also are overviewed. This review overlooks molecular analysis methods such as nucleic acid amplification, antibody-antigen complex determination, CRISPR-Cas system-based viral genome determination methods. Methods widely used in the certificated diagnostic laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, B, C, HIV, and other viruses during a viral pandemic are outlined. A comprehensive overview of molecular analytical methods has shown that the assay's sensitivity, accuracy, and suitability for virus detection depends on the choice of the number of regions in the viral open reading frame (ORF) genome sequence and the validity of the selected analytical method.

Reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for H7 subtype avian influenza virus

H7 subtype avian influenza virus infection is an emerging zoonosis in some Asian countries and an important avian disease worldwide. A rapid and simple test is needed to confirm infection in suspected cases during disease outbreaks. In this study, we developed a reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay for the detection of H7 subtype avian influenza virus. Assays were performed at a single temperature (39°C), and the results were obtained within 20 min. The assay showed no cross-detection with Newcastle disease virus or infectious bronchitis virus, which are the other main respiratory viruses affecting birds. The analytical sensitivity was 10² RNA copies per reaction at a 95% probability level according to probit regression analysis, with 100% specificity. Compared with published reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, the κ value of the reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay in 342 avian clinical samples was 0.988 (p < .001). The sensitivity for avian clinical sample detection was 100% (95%CI, 90.40%-100%), and the specificity was 99.96% (95%CI, 97.83%-99.98%). These results indicated that our reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification assay may be a valuable tool for detecting avian influenza H7 subtype virus.

Au/Fe3O4 core-shell nanoparticles are an efficient immunochromatography test strip performance enhancer-a comparative study with Au and Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Immunochromatography test strips that use metal particles constructed from Au, Fe3O4, and Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were developed for the rapid detection of avian influenza virus subtype H7 (AIV H7). The principle of this immunochromatography test strip was based on a sandwich immunoreaction in which AIV H7 antigens bind specifically to their corresponding antibodies on a nitrocellulose membrane. An antibody-metal (Au, Fe3O4 or Au/Fe3O4) nanoparticle conjugate was used as a label and coated onto a glass fiber membrane, which was used as a conjugate pad. To create a test and a control zone, an anti-H7 polyclonal antibody and an anti-IgG antibody were immobilized onto the nitrocellulose membrane, respectively. Positive samples displayed brown/red lines in the test and control zones of the nitrocellulose membrane, whereas negative samples resulted in a brown/red line only in the control zone. The limit of detection (LOD) of the Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based immunochromatography test strips was found to be 103.5 EID50 (EID50: 50% Egg Infective Dose), which could be visually detected by the naked eye within 15 min. In addition, 200 clinical samples were tested using the Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based immunochromatography test strip to estimate its performance, and seven were positive for AIV H7. In summary, the Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticle-based immunochromatography test strip offers a simple and cost-effective tool for the rapid detection of AIV H7.

Detection of influenza A virus subtypes using a solid-phase PCR microplate chip assay

A rapid and sensitive microplate chip based on solid PCR was developed to identify influenza A subtypes. A simple ultraviolet cross-linking method was used to immobilize DNA probes on pretreated microplates. Solid-phase PCR was proven to be a convenient method for influenza A screening. The sensitivity of the microplate chip was 10(-3) μg/mL for the enzymatic colorimetric method and 10(-4) μg/mL for the fluorescence method. The 10 sets of primers and probes for the microplate chip were highly specific and did not interfere with each other. These results suggest that the microplate chip based on solid PCR can be used to rapidly detect universal influenza A and its subtypes. This platform can also be used to detect other pathogenic microorganisms.

A packaged paper fluidic-based microdevice for detecting gene expression of influenza A virus

Pathotyping and subtyping of influenza A virus were performed with a packaged paper fluidic-based analytical microdevice (PFAM) after one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The PFAM contains two test lines: one for detecting M gene to identify the influenza A virus and another for haemagglutinin subtyping to determine the viral strain among H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1. The M gene and the haemagglutinin gene (H1, H3, and H5 genes) were amplified by using the Digoxigenin and the Texas Red modified primers, respectively, in the multiplex RT-PCR. The amplicon products were loaded in the conjugate pad of the PFAM in which the streptavidin coated gold nanoparticles were linked with the biotin moieties that were incorporated in the middle of the DNA strands, and then captured by the anti-Digoxigenin and anti-Texas Red immobilized on the test lines. Influenza A H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1 could be identified with a limit of detection of 10(2) copies of RNA templates in 10 min. Pathotyping and subtyping of the clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples were also analyzed whose results were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR.

Rapid molecular haemagglutinin subtyping of avian influenza isolates by specific real-time RT-PCR tests

Sixteen haemagglutinin (HA) subtypes of avian influenza viruses (AIV) have been described to date. Rapid subtype identification of any AIV is of major interest because of the possible serious consequences for the poultry industry and even public health. Molecular techniques currently allow immediate accurate subtype characterisation prior to virus isolation. In this study, a set of fourteen specific real-time RT-PCR methods were developed and evaluated for AIV HA subtyping (H1-H4, H6-H8, H10-H16), H5 and H9 being excluded on the basis of the current validity of the European Union (EU) recommended specific assays. Specific primers and probes sets for each HA-subtype were designed to hybridise the largest isolates range within each single subtype, considering the Eurasian lineage as a major target. The robustness and general application of the 14 HA-subtype methods were verified by the analysis of 110 AIV isolates belonging to all 16 HA-subtypes, performed in different laboratories. The developed real-time RT-PCR assays proved to be highly specific and revealed suitable sensitivity, allowing direct HA-subtyping of clinical material. In summary, this study provides for the first time a panel of molecular tests using specific hydrolysis probes for rapid and complete AIV HA-subtype identification.

Evolving gene targets and technology in influenza detection

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.

Subtyping clinical specimens of influenza A virus by use of a simple method to amplify RNA targets

This work presents the clinical application of a robust and unique approach for RNA amplification, called a simple method for amplifying RNA targets (SMART), for the detection and identification of subtypes of H1N1 pandemic, H1N1 seasonal, and H3N2 seasonal influenza virus. While all the existing amplification techniques rely on the diffusion of two molecules to complex RNA structures, the SMART achieves fast and efficient amplification via single-molecule diffusion. The SMART utilizes amplifiable single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes, which serve as reporter molecules for capturing specific viral RNA (vRNA) sequences and are subsequently separated on a microfluidic chip under zero-flow conditions. The probe amplification and detection are performed using an isothermal (41°C) amplification scheme via a modified version of nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA). In our study, 116 consecutive, deidentified, clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples were analyzed independently in a blinded fashion using the SMART, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), antigen (Ag) testing, and viral culture. The SMART was shown to have a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 10(5) vRNA copies/ml, corresponding with a time-to-positivity (TTP) value of 70 min for real-time detection. The SMART correctly detected influenza virus in 98.3% of the samples with a subtyping accuracy of 95.7%. This work demonstrates that the SMART represents a highly accurate diagnostic platform for the detection and subtyping of influenza virus in clinical specimens and offers significant advantages over the current commercially available diagnostic tools.

Advances in the in-field detection of microorganisms in ice

The historic view of ice-bound ecosystems has been one of a predominantly lifeless environment, where microorganisms certainly exist but are assumed to be either completely inactive or in a state of long-term dormancy. However, this standpoint has been progressively overturned in the past 20years as studies have started to reveal the importance of microbial life in the functioning of these environments. Our present knowledge of the distribution, taxonomy, and metabolic activity of such microbial life has been derived primarily from laboratory-based analyses of collected field samples. To date, only a restricted range of life detection and characterization techniques have been applied in the field. Specific examples include direct observation and DNA-based techniques (microscopy, specific stains, and community profiling based on PCR amplification), the detection of biomarkers (such as adenosine triphosphate), and measurements of metabolism [through the uptake and incorporation of radiolabeled isotopes or chemical alteration of fluorescent substrates (umbelliferones are also useful here)]. On-going improvements in technology mean that smaller and more robust life detection and characterization systems are continually being designed, manufactured, and adapted for in-field use. Adapting technology designed for other applications is the main source of new methodology, and the range of techniques is currently increasing rapidly. Here we review the current use of technology and techniques to detect and characterize microbial life within icy environments and specifically its deployment to in-field situations. We discuss the necessary considerations, limitations, and adaptations, review emerging technologies, and highlight the future potential. Successful application of these new techniques to in-field studies will certainly generate new insights into the way ice bound ecosystems function.

Updated values for molecular diagnosis for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 strain pose a pandemic threat. H5N1 strain virus is extremely lethal and contagious for poultry. Even though mortality is 59% in infected humans, these viruses do not spread efficiently between humans. In 1997, an outbreak of H5N1 strain with human cases occurred in Hong Kong. This event highlighted the need for rapid identification and subtyping of influenza A viruses (IAV), not only to facilitate surveillance of the pandemic potential of avian IAV, but also to improve the control and treatment of infected patients. Molecular diagnosis has played a key role in the detection and typing of IAV in recent years, spurred by rapid advances in technologies for detection and characterization of viral RNAs and proteins. Such technologies, which include immunochromatography, quantitative real-time PCR, super high-speed real-time PCR, and isothermal DNA amplification, are expected to contribute to faster and easier diagnosis and typing of IAV.

Competitive reporter monitored amplification (CMA)--quantification of molecular targets by real time monitoring of competitive reporter hybridization

Background

State of the art molecular diagnostic tests are based on the sensitive detection and quantification of nucleic acids. However, currently established diagnostic tests are characterized by elaborate and expensive technical solutions hindering the development of simple, affordable and compact point-of-care molecular tests.

Methodology and Principal Findings

The described competitive reporter monitored amplification allows the simultaneous amplification and quantification of multiple nucleic acid targets by polymerase chain reaction. Target quantification is accomplished by real-time detection of amplified nucleic acids utilizing a capture probe array and specific reporter probes. The reporter probes are fluorescently labeled oligonucleotides that are complementary to the respective capture probes on the array and to the respective sites of the target nucleic acids in solution. Capture probes and amplified target compete for reporter probes. Increasing amplicon concentration leads to decreased fluorescence signal at the respective capture probe position on the array which is measured after each cycle of amplification. In order to observe reporter probe hybridization in real-time without any additional washing steps, we have developed a mechanical fluorescence background displacement technique.

Conclusions and Significance

The system presented in this paper enables simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple targets. Moreover, the presented fluorescence background displacement technique provides a generic solution for real time monitoring of binding events of fluorescently labelled ligands to surface immobilized probes. With the model assay for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and 2 (HIV 1/2), we have been able to observe the amplification kinetics of five targets simultaneously and accommodate two additional hybridization controls with a simple instrument set-up. The ability to accommodate multiple controls and targets into a single assay and to perform the assay on simple and robust instrumentation is a prerequisite for the development of novel molecular point of care tests.

Immuno-PCR for one step detection of H5N1 avian influenza virus and Newcastle disease virus using magnetic gold particles as carriers

Detecting avian influenza virus (AIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) at low concentrations from tracheal and cloacal swabs of avian influenza- and Newcastle disease-infected poultry was carried out using a highly sensitive immunological-polymerase chain reaction (immuno-PCR) method. Magnetic gold particles were pre-coated with a capture antibody, either a monoclonal anti-AIV/H5 or monoclonal anti-NDV/F and viruses serially diluted ten-fold from 10(2) to 10(-5)EID(50)/ml. A biotinylated detection antibody bound to the viral antigen was then linked via a streptavidin bridge to biotinylated reporter DNA. After extensive washing, reporter DNA was released by denaturation, transferred to PCR tubes, amplified, electrophoresed and visualized. An optimized immuno-PCR method was able to detect as little as 10(-4)EID(50)/ml AIV and NDV. To further evaluate the specificity and the clinical application of this IPCR assay for AIV H5N1 and NDV, the tracheal swab specimens, taken from chickens which were infected with H5N1/AIV, H9N2/AIV, H7N2/AIV, NDV, IBDV, IBV/H(120), were detected by IPCR. Our data demonstrated that this monoclonal antibody-based immuno-PCR method provides a platform capable of rapid screening of clinical samples for trace levels of AIV H5 and NDV in one step.

Development of reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for detection of avian influenza viruses in field specimens

Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is an established gene amplification method for rapid diagnosis of various infectious diseases. In order to detect avian influenza viruses, particularly in field specimens, specific primers targeting the matrix gene were designed. Thirty-four virus samples, including isolates from wild and domestic avian hosts belonging to various geographical areas, were used to confirm the validity of the primers. All samples were confirmed to be positive in less than 1 hr. The RT-LAMP assay was also able to detect avian influenza virus in the various field samples, such as swabs, tissues, and feces. These results indicate that the developed RT-LAMP assay with uniquely designed primers is potentially useful in comprehensive avian influenza surveillance.

Advances in the molecular based techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of avian influenza virus infections

There have been remarkable advances in the molecular diagnosis and characterization of avian influenza virus infections in domestic poultry and free-living birds in the past two decades. Rapid pathotyping became possible with the recognition that the amino acid sequence of the connecting peptide of the haemagglutinin precursor, HA(0), is a major virulence determinant for H5 and H7 subtype viruses. This in turn resulted in nucleic acid sequencing as a relatively routine method for identifying highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolates. Subsequent development of diagnostic methods based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification and loop-mediated isothermal amplification has made the rapid detection of group A influenza and H5 and H7 subtype viruses possible. Further development of these assay platforms has enabled the specific detection of H5N1 Eurasian subtype viruses and the inference of their HA(0) cleavage sites. Identification of additional virulence determinants of influenza A viruses for birds and mammals will allow the emerging area of microarray technology to further extend our understanding of their ecology, epidemiology and pathogenesis.

Conventional and future diagnostics for avian influenza

The significant and continued transboundary spread of Asian avian influenza H5N1 since 2003, paired with documented transmission from avian species to humans and other mammals, has focused global attention on avian influenza virus detection and diagnostic strategies. While the historic and conventional laboratory methods used for isolation and identification of the virus and for detection of specific antibodies continued to be widely applied, new and emerging technologies are rapidly being adapted to support avian influenza virus surveillance and diagnosis worldwide. Molecular tools in particular are advancing toward lab-on-chip and fully integrated technologies that are capable of same day detection, pathotyping, and phylogenetic characterization of influenza A viruses obtained from clinical specimens. The future of avian influenza diagnostics, rather than moving toward a single approach, is wisely adopting a strategy that takes advantage of the range of conventional and advancing technologies to be used in "fit-for-purpose" testing.

Review of Rapid Molecular Diagnostic Tools for Avian Influenza Virus

Molecular diagnostic tests are commonly used to diagnose avian influenza virus because they are sensitive and can be performed rapidly, with high throughput, and at a moderate cost. Molecular diagnostic tests recently have proven themselves to be invaluable in controlling disease outbreaks around the world. Several different methods, including traditional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification among others, have been described for the diagnosis of avian influenza in poultry with many different variations of primers, probes, enzymes, etc. Few of these tests have been validated, with the understanding that validation should be described as a level of comparison testing to show "fitness for purpose." None of the molecular diagnostic tests are validated for all species or specimen types that might be presented to a diagnostic laboratory. The sensitivity and specificity for all the molecular tests are governed by three critical control points, including RNA extraction, enzymes used for amplification, and the sequence of primers and probes. The RNA extraction step is of particular concern, since high-quality RNA is needed for any of the molecular tests. Some sample types, including cloacal (fecal) swabs and tissues, are difficult to process, with issues of poor RNA extraction or PCR inhibitors being common. The development of internal controls, robotics, and bead reagents are providing improved performance of existing tests, and new technologies will likely provide better tests for the future. With any molecular test, assay assurance must be performed on an ongoing basis, which includes the use of proficiency panels to measure test performance.

Current methods for the rapid diagnosis of bioterrorism-related infectious agents

Bioterrorism is the calculated use of violence against civilians to attain political, religious, or ideologic goals using weapons of biological warfare. Bioterrorism is of particular concern because these weapons can be manufactured with ease and do not require highly sophisticated technology. Moreover, biologic agents can be delivered and spread easily and can effect a large population and geographic area. The terrorist attacks occurring around the world necessitate society's continued investment in adequate defense against these unpredictable and irrational events.

Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification methods to detect avian influenza virus

Infection of poultry with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) can be devastating in terms of flock morbidity and mortality, economic loss, and social disruption. The causative agent is confined to certain isolates of influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H7. Due to the potential of direct transfer of avian influenza to humans, continued research into rapid diagnostic tests for influenza is therefore necessary. A nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) method was developed to detect a portion of the haemagglutinin gene of avian influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H7 irrespective of lineage. A further NASBA assay, based on the matrix gene, was able to detect examples of all known subtypes (H1–H15) of avian influenza virus. The entire nucleic acid isolation, amplification, and detection procedure was completed within 6 h. The dynamic range of the three AIV assays was five to seven orders of magnitude. The assays were sensitive and highly specific, with no cross-reactivity to phylogenetically or clinically relevant viruses. The results of the three AIV NASBA assays correlated with those obtained by viral culture in embryonated fowl’s eggs.

Comparison of nucleic acid-based detection of avian influenza H5N1 with virus isolation

Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification with electrochemiluminescent detection (NASBA/ECL) of avian influenza virus was compared with viral culture in embryonated chicken eggs. Virus was isolated from blood or anal swabs of chickens artificially infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A/Chicken/Hong Kong/1000/97 (H5N1). Viral nucleic acid was detected in blood samples by NASBA/ECL immediately prior to death, whilst nucleic acid extracted from anal swabs was detected from the day following artificial infection until death. Thus, blood and/or anal swabs are a suitable source of material for the detection of avian influenza in dead birds, but anal swabs are more suitable for detection of viral genetic material in live birds. Dilution of a known viral standard was used to determine the limit of sensitivity for both NASBA/ECL and egg culture detection methods. The NASBA/ECL method was equivalent in sensitivity to egg culture. The NASBA/ECL results agreed with egg culture data in 71/94 (75.5%) tissue samples obtained from artificially infected birds.