Vietnam built a diagnostic kit for influenza A / H1N1

The Biotechnology Institute of the Vietnam Institute of Science and Technology has successfully developed a biochemical kit (kit) to quickly diagnose the H1N1 flu virus in patient samples.

Test results allow the differentiation of flu patients from seasonal flu or pandemic flu viruses.

According to Truong Nam Hai, Director of Biotechnology Institute, the kit has the advantage of: particularly high sensitivity, which helps distinguish H1N1 flu from regular circulation in the community and pandemic H1N1 flu.

Students, teachers of Phung Ngoc Liem, Bac Lieu Primary School, wear A / H1N1 influenza masks during school hours.(Photo: Huynh Su / VNA)

This kit is also very easy to use. The lyophilized reaction tube, with all the ingredients in place, users only need to add the super clean water available in the kit and the RNA extracted from the specimen. The H1N1 flu virus will be inactivated immediately after taking the specimen and transferring it to the RNA extraction tube so it is safe for users.

However, according to Mr. Hai, the Institute only has enough numbers to use for about 100 tests. In the near future, the Institute will send some kits to the National Institute of Tropical Diseases and Infections for trial and comparison with the imported models.