Influenza A (H1N1) on-site detection (POCT)

This LAMP-based portable (smartphone-sized) quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has been developed specifically to rapidly detect the presence of Influenza A (H1N1) in samples. It employs the technology of droplet microfluidics (DMF) and can be connected to a PC or laptop via a USB port.

• Outbreaks of Influenza of variable extent and severity occur nearly every year, resulting in significant morbidity rates in the general population and in increased mortality rates among high-

  Effect of uncertainty on objectives.

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  patients. Apart from the annual seasonal epidemics, influenza presents sporadic and unpredictable global pandemic outbreaks as well. Pandemic influenza occurs every 10–50 years and is characterised by the introduction of a new influenza A virus strain that is antigenically very different from previously circulating strains; the lack of pre-existing immunity leads to increased mortality.

Novel biomarkers targeting specifically the aforementioned virus strain were developed in STAMINA project, and incorporated into a validated protocol which includes sample preparation and analysis. The qPCR DMF device is capable to detect the presence of Influenza A (H1N1) with robustness and accuracy, while due to the nature of microfluidics technology, it reduces the sample-to-result time.

A graphical representation of the implementation process is depicted in the illustrations.