Viral Flu Panel (Influenza A&B, H3N2, H1N1, RSV) Qualitative RT-PCR in Mumbai

Influenza A checks for the presence of Influenza A virus and confirms the infection. Influenza A virus can infect both animals and humans and is responsible for most seasonal flu outbreaks. These viruses are further classified based on two proteins on their surface, called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). There are 18 different H subtypes and 11 different N subtypes, which can combine in different ways to create new strains of the virus.

Influenza B checks for the presence of the Influenza B virus and confirms the infection. This type of influenza virus only infects humans and is less common than influenza A. Influenza B viruses are not classified based on two proteins on the surface, called hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) subtypes, but are instead grouped into two distinct lineages, B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) checks for the presence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and confirms the infection. This test should be performed within a few days after symptoms occur when there’s a greater detectable amount of the virus. RSV is a major cause of human respiratory infections, particularly among younger children who are affected most frequently with potentially most severe infections.

H1N1 checks for the presence of the H1N1 virus, also called the swine flu (influenza) virus and confirms the infection. Influenza or flu is a viral infection that affects your respiratory system. The infection is usually mild and resolves on its own but in children aged below 5 years, adults above 65 years of age, and those with weakened immune systems, the infection can be life-threatening. Hence, early detection via timely testing becomes crucial.

H3N2 checks for the presence of H3N2 virus and confirms the infection. The influenza A virus has a subtype known as H3N2, which can induce sickness in humans and animals such as pigs and birds. This particular strain of the flu virus is capable of causing illness. During the testing process, respiratory specimens such as nasopharyngeal swabs or nasal washes are analyzed to detect viral RNA or antigens.

The RNase P gene is used in the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) protocol as an internal control (IC) for the detection of COVID-19, since this is a multi-copy gene that is abundant in the human genome, and therefore is easily detectable. Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is an endoribonuclease that cleaves other RNA molecules at the junction between a single-stranded region and the 5′ end of a double-stranded region. The enzyme is one of only two ribozymes that can be found in all kingdoms of life (Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya).