Comparison of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction and Conventional Cell Culture for Detection of Influenza A in Tabriz, Iran

Background: Influenza type A (H۱N۱) causes an epidemic disease, resulting in thousands of deaths throughout the world. Objectives: Our aim was comparing the efficacy of two different methods in isolating the Influenza (H۱N۱) virus including cell culture and real-Time PCR in Tabriz and suburbs. Patients and Methods: Of throat swab samples, ۲۲۰ were collected in viral transport medium (VTM) from patients with a suspected influenza virus infection referred to hospitals and clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. All the samples were examined through virus culturing in Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK line) and also real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version ۱۶. Results: RT-PCR detected ۴۱ cases of influenza A (H۱N۱), compared with the virus isolation methods that detected ۱۸ cases. Conclusions: RT-PCR provided a sensitive and specific route compared with virus isolation. In addition, urgent planning for the vaccination program of influenza A is suggested, which can definitely prevent the spread of virus in this part of Iran.