An integrated microfluidic system for rapid detection and multiple subtyping of influenza A viruses by using polysaccharide-coated beads and RT-PCR

Influenza A virus is one of the global public health threats that causes epidemics and pandemics in past decades. Identification of the viral subtypes is important since it can offer valuable information such as origin, infectivity and antiviral resistance of the influenza virus. In this work, we developed a new integrated microfluidic system for detection and subtyping of influenza A viruses from clinical samples by utilizing polysaccharide-coated beads and one-step reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Experimental data showed that the developed system could automate the entire process within a short period of time.