Comparison of sampling methods for detection of influenza A virus

摘要

The current standard sample for detecting influenza A virus (IAV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in suckling pigs is intranasal (IN) swabbing. This method requires a basic level of technical skill and can be cumbersome for both pig and handler. Oral fluids (OF) are difficult to obtain from suckling pigs, but relatively easy from growing pigs. However, IAV sequencing is typically unsuccessful from OF samples. Two alternative methods, extranasal (EN) swab and snout wipe (SW) methods, are easier toperform and less taxing for both the pig and the handler. Their sensitivities and specificities were compared to the standard IN swab. If comparable to the standard, implementation of EN swab and SW would make active IAV surveillance easier and could allow for more successful sequence results. The objective of this study was to determine if EN swab and S W sampling methods wete similaf to the IN method with tespect to sensitivity and specificity for detecting IAV by PCR.