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Sigma-Virocult® - The Challenge of H3N2v
 | The current concern in North America regarding increased numbers of cases of H3N2v variant seasonal influenza A virus (with the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 M gene) is a reminder of the need for constant vigilance against this cunning pathogen with its ability to alter without warning, and with renewed potential for serious outbreaks.
A new report from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 shows that in an evaluation of seven widely used FDA-cleared rapid influenza diagnostic tests against a panel of seven H3N2v strains , only four of the tests detected all of the strains. One of the rapid tests detected only one of the seven strains.
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In the present situation with an emerging potentially virulent strain, it is essential to accurately identify all occurrences. The CDC report and others 2-5 have shown that the sensitivity of rapid influenza diagnostic tests can be low compared with virus isolation or RT-PCR. So where possible, all specimens where H3N2v is suspected should be confirmed by culture or RT-PCR.
For all of these techniques, a reliable transport device is essential, one which preserves the integrity and infectivity of virus and genome. In these circumstances the most trusted device is Sigma-Virocult®. In a study 6 presented at the 2010 Clinical Virology Symposium, Sigma-Virocult® was shown to maintain the viability of seasonal influenza A H3N2 for at least 14 days. The integrity of the virus genome, as demonstrated by RT-PCR was also maintained for at least 14 days.
Sigma-Virocult® from Medical Wire is the ideal device for H3N2 including variant strains. Each pack comes with one or two Sigma-swabs® with an open-celled polyurethane foam bud that allows complete flow through of virus and reagents for optimum sensitivity of any techniques used. The screw top transport vial contains Virocult® medium, for long known as one of the most dependable virus transport media available. The two swab format can be used for multi-site testing, such as nose and throat. Mini-tip versions of the swabs are also available for nasopharyngeal sampling.
Sigma-Virocult® is readily available around the world. Please contact us for details of your nearest distributor.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Evaluation of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests for Influenza A (H3N2)v Virus and Updated Case Count - United States, 2012, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Early Release / Vol. 61 August 10, 2012
2. Hurt AC, Alexander R, Hibbert J, Deed N, Barr IG. Performance of six influenza rapid tests in detecting human influenza in clinical specimens. J Clin Virol 2007;39:132-5.
3. Faix DJ, Sherman SS, Waterman SH. Rapid-test sensitivity for novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus in humans. N Engl J Med 2009;361:728-9.
4. Ginocchio CC, Zhang F, Manji R, et al. Evaluation of multiple test methods for the detection of the novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) during the New York City outbreak. J Clin Virol 2009;45:191-5.
5. Uyeki TM, Prasad R, Vukotich C, et al. Low sensitivity of rapid diagnostic test for influenza. Clin Infect Dis 2009;48:e89-92.
6. Valette, M., Bouscambert-Duchamp, M., Fanget, R., Lambert, S., & Lina, B., Comparison Of Virocult® Swab, S-Swab® And S-Virocult® For Influenza A Viability For Cell Culture And Molecular Detection, Poster S84, Clinical Virology Symposium 2010, Daytona Beach. Click here for further information.
7. Information on Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Viruses (“H3N2v”) www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/influenza-variant-viruses-h3n2v.htm
8. And also at www.who.int/influenza/gisrs_laboratory/terminology_ah3n2v/en/index.html
9. Variant (Swine Origin) Influenza Viruses in Humans
www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/variant.htm
Order Details
| Product Code | Product name | Configuration | | MW951S | Sigma-Virocult® | 1 standard Sigma-swab® with breakpoint | | MW951SENT | Sigma-Virocult® | 1 mini-tip Sigma-swab® with breakpoint | | MW951S2* | Sigma-Virocult® | 2 standard Sigma-swabs® with breakpoint |
*Other variants are available. Please check website.
In the United States Sigma-Virocult is available through Fisher Scientific: www.fishersci.com
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Source: Medical Wire & Equipment Co
Posted: August 14, 2012
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