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J Med Virol
. 2020 Jun 4.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.26133. Online ahead of print.
A Newly Developed Real-Time PCR Assay for Discriminating Influenza B Virus Yamagata and Victoria Lineages
Jinli Wei 1 , Huaxin Huang 1 , Hucheng Qin 1 , Shanqin Li 2 , Li Xing 1 , Yanjie Li 1 , Mengli Cao 1 , Yanrong Wang 1 , Yuhai Bi 1 2 , Yingxia Liu 1 3 , Yang Yang 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 32497291
- DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26133
Abstract
Background: Currently, two distinct lineages of influenza B virus (IBV), B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineage, have been co-circulating in human beings. Assessment of the prevalent lineage is key for the recommendation of the seasonal influenza vaccine composition and the evaluation of its efficacy.
Materials and methods: A multiplex qRT-PCR assay for the discrimination of the IBV lineages was designed based on the genetic differences of the HA genes between B/Yamagata and B/Victoria lineages. This assay was further tested for specificity and sensitivity, and validated using clinical samples and virus isolates.
Results: The assay was highly specific and able to discriminate the lineages of IBV without any non-specific reaction against other influenza A viruses. The detection limit of the assay was determined to be 10 genome-equivalent copies and 2.8 ? 10-2 50% tissue culture infectious doses (TCID50 ) of live IBV per reaction. Moreover, our assay was able to discriminate the lineages of IBVs in clinical samples with 100% accuracy, when compared with pyrosequencing.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that this assay may represent an update of the existing qRT-PCR assays and will be of great use for the rapid and accurate diagnosis and surveillance of the circulating IBVs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Keywords: B/Victoria and B/Yamagata, lineages; discrimination; influenza B virus; real-time PCR.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.