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Best In Science

Pandemic Influenza: New Test, New Vaccines

Microbiologist Catherine Smith, M.M.S.C., illustrates how the new diagnostic device called the “M-Chip” detects highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus and many other commonly circulating seasonal influenza viruses. The M-Chip was developed in collaboration with Scientists at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

On September 30, 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration cleared an important new test that can rapidly detect and identify human influenza viruses, including those that may pose a pandemic risk. The human influenza virus real-time polymerase chain reaction detection and characterization panel (RT-PCR) was developed by CDC in collaboration with Applied Biosystems of Foster City, California and the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Using a molecular biology technique, the RT-PCR can test multiple samples at once and renders results within just four hours.

CDC developed six H5N1 pandemic influenza vaccine candidates derived from viruses from Indonesia and China for use in manufacturing prepandemic vaccines including H5N1 vaccine candidate Clade 2.1 and H5N1 vaccine candidate Clade 2.2. H5N1 viruses are the avian influenza viruses currently causing human cases in Asia and Africa (more than 300 cases so far). They are a concern because of the potential to become a new pandemic strain. They have caused outbreaks in birds (usually chickens) in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

CDC also developed a five-target polymerase chain reaction panel for influenza (A, B, H1, H3, and H5); approval is pending from the US Food and Drug Administration. This new area of diagnostics for CDC will greatly enhance disease detection, prepare people for emerging health threats, and provide a path for future development.

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