The annual wave of influenza varies from season to season. Influenza activity in Germany began in the 2nd week of January 2020 and has currently increased slightly. Overall, the occurrence of flu cases in Germany has been moderate so far. The situation is different in the USA, however. Flu activity there is high and expected to continue for weeks, according to the CDC. Worldwide, seasonal influenza A viruses accounted for the majority of detections.
The RealStar® Influenza Screen & Type RT-PCR Kit 4.0 was developed for the rapid and reliable detection and differentiation of human influenza A, influenza B and swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) pdm09) specific RNA within a single reaction.
The influenza virus exhibits a high degree of variability due to mutations (antigen drift) and the exchange of genome segments (antigen shift).
With the RealStar® Influenza Screen & Type RT-PCR Kit 4.0 the detection of the currently known subtypes and strains is possible. The advantage of detection and typing for all strains/types in one PCR leads to fast and reliable results as demonstrated in a comparative study comprising clinical samples as well as the recommended influenza vaccine strains for the 2019/2020 influenza season.
altona Diagnostics GmbH
Mörkenstr. 12
22767 Hamburg, Germany