Use of semiconductor-based oligonucleotide microarrays for influenza A virus subtype identification and sequencing

In the face of concerns over an influenza pandemic, identification of virulent influenza A virus isolates must be obtained quickly for effective responses. Rapid subtype identification, however, is difficult even in well-equipped virology laboratories or is unobtainable in the field under more austere conditions. Here we describe a genome assay and microarray design that can be used to rapidly identify influenza A virus hemagglutinin subtypes I through 15 and neuraminidase subtypes 1 through 9. Also described is an array-based enzymatic assay that can be used to sequence portions of both genes or any other sequence of interest.