The RealStar® Influenza S&T RT-PCR Kit 3.0 and the RealStar® Influenza RT-PCR Kit 1.0 facilitate the detection of the drifted influenza A (H3N2) viruses circulating as dominant subtype in the 2014/15 influenza season in Europe:
 

“The influenza season 2014/15 started in Europe in week 50 2014 with influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating. The majority of the A (H3N2) viruses characterised antigenically and/or genetically differ from the northern hemisphere vaccine component which may result in reduced vaccine effectiveness for the season. We therefore anticipate that this season may be more severe than the 2013/14 season. Treating influenza with antivirals in addition to prevention with vaccination will be important.” (Source: Rapid communication from Eurosurveillance; Volume 20, Issue 4, 29 January 2015 http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=21023)

 

The RealStar® Influenza S&T RT-PCR Kit 3.0 (163013) and the RealStar® Influenza RT-PCR Kit 1.0 (421013) allow the detection of the drifted influenza A (H3N2) viruses currently circulating in Europe. Three Influenza viruses representing the new H3N2 variant were provided by the National Reference Center for Influenza located at the Robert Koch-Institute („RKI“, Berlin, Germany):

 

1. A/Bayern/1/2015  (A/H3N2)

2. A/Sachsen/2/2015  (A/H3N2)

3. A/Nordrhein-Westfalen/1/2015  (A/H3N2)

 

All three isolates were detected reliably in a wide range of dilutions using  the RealStar® Influenza RT-PCR Kit 1.0 as shown above. For the RealStar® Influenza S&T RT-PCR Kit 3.0 see download.

Fig. 2: Detection of drifted Influenza A H3N2 strains using the RealStar® Influenza S&T RT-PCR Kit 3.0, black: positive control, red: A/Bayern/1/2015, blue: A/Sachsen/2/2015, green: A/Nordrhein-Westfalen/1/2015, light blue: negative control. 

Go back