TaqMan-based Real-time PCR Assay for Quick Detection of Influenza B Virus

Objective To establish a TaqMan based real time PCR assay for the detection of influenza B virus.Methods The HA gene of influenza B virus downloaded from the Genbank was aligned using the biologic software and the specific primers and probes were designed in the conserved region of the NP gene. The primers, probes and the reactive condition were optimized to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the assay. The clinical specimens collected from the patients with acute respiratory tract infection were detected. Results The specificity of the assay was high and there were no cross reactions with influenza A1,A3 and A5 virus, SARS virus and other common respiratory virus. The sensitivity of the assay was 0 01TCID 50 and the viral RNA was directly detected from the clinical specimens by this assay. It took only three hours to extract viral RNA and do the real time PCR.Conclusions The TaqMan based real time PCR assay was a quick, sensitive and specific method for molecular diagnosis of influenza B virus.