A Brief Introduction to the Avian Influenza Virus -- Avian Influenza Virus Sample Types, Collection, and Handling -- Avian Influenza Virus RNA Extraction from Tissue and Swab Material -- Type A Influenza Virus Detection and Quantitation by Real-Time RT-PCR -- Detection and Identification of the H5 Hemagglutinin Subtype by Real-Time RT-PCR -- Avian Influenza Virus Isolation and Propagation in Chicken Eggs -- Hemagglutination Assay for the Avian Influenza Virus -- Hemagglutination-Inhibition Test for Avian Influenza Virus Subtype Identification and the Detection and Quantitation of Serum Antibodies to the Avian Influenza Virus -- Neuraminidase-Inhibition Assay for the Identification of Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Subtype or Neuraminidase Antibody Specificity -- Immunohistochemical Staining for the Detection of the Avian Influenza Virus in Tissues -- Wild Bird Surveillance for the Avian Influenza Virus -- Reverse Genetics of the Avian Influenza Virus -- Evaluating the Cell-Mediated Immune Response of Avian Species to Avian Influenza Viruses -- Measurement of Avian Cytokines with Real-Time RT-PCR Following Infection with the Avian Influenza Virus.

With the growing global fear of a major pandemic, avian influenza virus research has increased greatly in importance during this young century. In Avian Influenza Virus, an expert team of researchers and diagnosticians examine the fundamental yet essential virological methods for AI virus research and diagnostics as well as some of the newest molecular procedures currently used for basic and applied research. Exciting, cutting-edge new methods focus on studying the virus itself and work with avian hosts, an area greatly lacking in research. Following the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series, each chapter provides readily reproducible laboratory protocols offering step-by-step instruction and lists of the necessary equipment for the task. Comprehensive and timely, Avian Influenza Virus equips diagnosticians and researchers with the current tools and information they need to learn more about this high impact disease.