NUK - logo
E-resources
Full text
Peer reviewed Open access
  • Detecting the Neuraminidase...
    Lou, Xiuyu; Yan, Hao; Su, Lingxuan; Sun, Yi; Wang, Xinyin; Gong, Liming; Chen, Yin; Li, Zhen; Fang, Zhongbiao; Mao, Haiyan; Chen, Keda; Zhang, Yanjun

    Viruses, 04/2023, Volume: 15, Issue: 4
    Journal Article

    The R294K mutation in neuraminidase (NA) causes resistance to oseltamivir in the avian influenza virus H7N9. Reverse transcription droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-dd PCR) is a novel technique for detecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms. This study aimed to develop an RT-dd PCR method for detecting the R294K mutation in H7N9. Primers and dual probes were designed using the H7N9 NA gene and the annealing temperature was optimized at 58.0 °C. The sensitivity of our RT-dd PCR method was not significantly different from that of RT-qPCR ( = 0.625), but it could specifically detect R294 and 294K in H7N9. Among 89 clinical samples, 2 showed the R294K mutation. These two strains were evaluated using a neuraminidase inhibition test, which revealed that their sensitivity to oseltamivir was greatly reduced. The sensitivity and specificity of RT-dd PCR were similar to those of RT-qPCR and its accuracy was comparable to that of NGS. The RT-dd PCR method had the advantages of absolute quantitation, eliminating the need for a calibration standard curve, and being simpler in both experimental operation and result interpretation than NGS. Therefore, this RT-dd PCR method can be used to quantitatively detect the R294K mutation in H7N9.