Utility of reverse transcriptase PCR for rapid diagnosis of influenza a virus infection and detection of amantadine-resistant influenza a virus isolates.

A reverse transcriptase PCR was developed to detect 50 or 5,000 RNA copies of influenza A virus per ml in throat swab specimens. The assay was more sensitive than the Directigen Flu A test. The technique was also used to detect amantadine-resistant isolates.