Detection of influenza C virus but not influenza D virus in Scottish respiratory samples.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A newly proposed genus of influenza virus (influenza D) is associated with respiratory disease in pigs and cattle. The novel virus is most closely related to human influenza C virus and can infect ferrets but infection has not been reported in humans.

Objectives

To ascertain if influenza D virus can be detected retrospectively in patient respiratory samples.

Study design

3300 human respiratory samples from Edinburgh, Scotland, covering the period 2006-2008, were screened in pools of 10 by RT-PCR using primers capable of detecting both influenza C and D viruses.

Results

Influenza D was not detected in any sample. Influenza C was present in 6 samples (0.2%), compared with frequencies of 3.3% and 0.9% for influenza A and B viruses from RT-PCR testing of

SUBMITTER: Smith DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4710576 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature