This study describes diagnosis of avian influenza in wild birds using a portable rRT-PCR system. The method takes advantage of freeze-dried reagents to screen wild birds in a non-laboratory setting, typical of an outbreak scenario. Use of molecular tools provides accurate and sensitive alternatives for rapid diagnosis.
Takekawa, J. Y., Hill, N. J., Schultz, A. K., Iverson, S. A., Cardona, C. J., Boyce, W. M., Dudley, J. P. Rapid Diagnosis of Avian Influenza Virus in Wild Birds: Use of a Portable rRT-PCR and Freeze-dried Reagents in the Field. J. Vis. Exp. (54), e2829, doi:10.3791/2829 (2011).