Point-of-Care Rapid RNA Diagnosis of Influenza Virus

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Influenza rapidly spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics and imposes a considerable economic burden in the form of hospital and other health care costs and lost productivity Early prediction detection characterization and risk assessment of viruses in their animal hosts before they spread into the human population are critical to protect public health Global burdens from existing or emerging infectious diseases emphasize the need for a point of care POC diagnostics to enhance timely recognition and intervention To better prepare for the next pandemic we need to develop simple and easy to use tests for characterizing newly emerging influenza viruses and needs of point of care flu diagnostic devices at low cost with a multiplex platform A highly sensitive simple paper strip molecular test that detects the Influenza virus at the point of care will be developed PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Emerging infectious diseases and pandemics in humans often originate from pathogens transmitted from nonhuman animal reservoirs The pandemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome HIV and H N influenza illustrate the dramatic impact of viral host switching on public health and the global economy Early prediction detection characterization and risk assessment of viruses in their animal hosts before they spread into the human population are critical to protect public health Global burdens from existing or emerging infectious diseases emphasize the need for point of care POC diagnostics to enhance timely recognition and intervention We will develop rapid tests for RNA viral pathogens that do not require any instrumentation and PCR