Detecting a Pandemic

As you all know, the H1N1 virus (better known as the swine flu) was declared a pandemic in the human culture this year. Pandemics occur when an infectious disease spreads throughout the world to different continents. The swine flu itself is very interesting. It is a combination of three flu types: human, avian, and swine. The outbreak that occured recently was due in part to a reassortment of genes between strains from these organisms. While most individuals recover from symptoms, scientists are in the trial phase of preparing a vaccine that combines all of the strains from the flu. A vaccine is an agent that prepares the body for an immunological response. For example, to battle the flu it would be beneficial to include parts of the infectious causing agents (parts of the virus). Once the person has been exposed to a small amount of the virus, their immune system is prepared to battle the infection the second time it is encountered; making it easier for the immune system to recognize and kill the virus.

Now that you have a background, let's get to the real issue. Before a person can be diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, the virus must be detected. There are many ways to do this. An ELISA assay (which can test bodily fluid samples for antibodies to the virus or antigens from the virus) or a PCR assay would be ideal. PCR would amplify the DNA of the virus if it is present...which would ultimately provide information of how much of the virus is in the person's system. The latest technique being used today is Real-time PCR. RT PCR (or quantitative PCR) allows for quantification and detection of the DNA. The techniques takes PCR one step further; as the product accumulates, it is quantified...making it a quicker process. Usually quantification is done through fluorescent dye.

In the study listed below, they detect the H1N1 influenza A virus in controls and specimen samples. I did not go into great detail about PCR but I am listing what is needed for PCR (& RT PCR). This is exciting...with methods like RT PCR to help detect the virus, we can begin to

Here is the paper --> http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/JCM.01087-09v1?view=long&pmid=19553589



PCR requirements: primers (forward and reverse), DNA sample, thermocycler, Taq polymerase enzyme, Magnesium, Buffer, dNTPs

RT PCR requirements: everything from PCR and fluorescent dye