A RAPID METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF INFLUENZA-VIRUS GENES - APPLICATION TO THE REASSORTMENT OF EQUINE INFLUENZA-VIRUS GENES

We describe a rapid method for genetic characterisation of influenza v irus genes using reverse transcription and amplification by polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) of all virus segments simultaneously (multipl ex RT/PCR) using primers based on the conserved terminal sequences. Th e product has been shown to be suitable for determination of partial n ucleotide sequences which can be used to search nucleotide sequence da tabases and rapidly map the genetic origin of each segment. We illustr ate the use of the method by analysing genetic reassortment in H7N7 eq uine influenza viruses.