Journal ofVirological Methods

The development of a rapid and sensitive system for detecting influenza viruses is a high priority for controlling future epidemics and pandemics. Quantitative real-time PCR is often used for detecting various kinds ofviruses; however ， it requires more than 2 h per run. Detection assays were performed with super high-speed RT -PCR (SHRT -PCR) developed according to a newly designed heating system. The new method uses a high-speed reaction (18 sjcycle; 40 cycles in less than 20 min) for typing influenza viruses The detection limit ofSHRT -PCR was 1 copyjreaction and 10 - 1 plaque-forming unitjreaction for viru ses in culture supernatants during 20 min . Using SHRT-PCR ， 86 strains ofinfluenza viruses isolated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health were tested; the results showed 100 克sensitivity and specificity for each influenza A and B virus ， and swine-origin influenza virus. Twenty-seven swabs collected from the pharyngeal mucosa of outpatients were also tested ， showing positive signs for influenza virus on an immunochromatographic assay; the results between SHRT-PCR and immunochromatography exhibited 100 克agreement for both positive and negative results . The rapid reaction time and high sensitivity of SHRT-PCR makes this technique well suited for monitoring epidemics and pre-pandemic influenza outbreaks.