Detection of Equine Influenza Viral Genome by RT-PCR and RNA-DNA Hybridization

214-219Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RNA : DNA hybridization based diagnostic techniques were standardized and used for rapid and specific detection of equine influenza virus. RT -PCR technique based on amplification of both Non-structural-l (NS1) and Neuraminidase (NA) genes was standardized. Beside this, RNA-DNA hybridization technique using both non-structural and neuraminidase gene segments specific hot probes was also developed to directly detect this virus with out involving viral RNA isolation. Both RT-PCR and RNA-DNA hybridization techniques were successfully used for detection of influenza virus in samples within 24 to 48 hrs. These techniques can now be used as a routine tests in the laboratory for detection of influenza virus from field samples