METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING HUMAN INFLUENZA AND 4-POSITION MODIFIED CHROMOGENIC N-ACETYLNEURAMINIC ACID SUBSTRATES FOR USE THEREIN

摘要

Chromogenic derivatives of N-acetylneuraminic acid modified in the 4-position by eliminating the hydroxyl group, byreplacing the hydroxyl group with fluorine, or by replacing the hydrogen of the hydroxyl group with methyl are used as substratesin colorimetric assays for human influenza neuraminidase activity in clinical specimens for the purpose of selectively diagnosinginfluenza infection. The substrates may exhibit different reactivity with the different types of influenza neuraminidases, thusenabling one to discern the specific type of influenza infection and prescribe appropriate treatment and/or supportive therapytherefor.