Influenza A and B assays

The accurate detection and discrimination of influenza A and influenza B viruses is important for primary research and clinical treatment. We have developed ​a ZIPR probe assay for influenza A that detects the viral M1 gene of various strains (pandemic 2009 H1N1, old H1N1, H3N2, H5N1) at a highly conserved site, while discriminating against influenza B targets. Our influenza B ZIPR probe detects a conserved site in the viral NS1 gene, without detecting similar sequences from influenza A strains. Both assays contain a probe/antiprobe pair and a second primer.