Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the detection of Tahyna Virus

A real-time RT-PCR （RT-qPCR） assay for the detection of Tahyna virus was developed to monitor Tahyna virus infection in field-collected vector mosquito samples. The targets selected for the assay were S segment sequences encoding the nucleocapsid protein from the Tahyna virus. Primers and probes were selected in conserved regions by aligning genetic sequences from various Tahyna virus strains available from GenBank. The sensitivity of the RT-qPCR approach was compared to that of a standard plaque assay in BHK cells. RT-qPCR assay can detect 4.8 PFU of titrated Tahyna virus. Assay specificities were determined by testing a battery of arboviruses, including representative strains of Tahyna virus and other arthropod-borne viruses from China. Seven strains of Tahyna virus were confirmed as positive; the other seven species of arboviruses could not be detected by RT-qPCR. Additionally, the assay was used to detect Tahyna viral RNA in pooled mosquito samples. The RT-qPCR assay detected Tahyna virus in a sensitive, specific, and rapid manner; these findings support the use of the assay in viral surveillance.

Real-time RT-PCR Assay for the Detection of Culex flavivirus

Based on the Culex flavivirus (CxFV) E gene sequences in GenBank, CxFV-specific primers and probes were designed for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The specificity test revealed that CxFV could be detected using RT-qPCR with the specific CxFV primers and probes; other species of arboviruses were not detected. The stability test demonstrated a coefficient of variation of <1.5%. A quantitative standard curve for CxFV RT-qPCR was established. Quantitative standard curve analysis revealed that the lower detection limit of the RT-qPCR system is 100 copies/mu L. Moreover, RT-qPCR was used to detect CxFV viral RNA in mosquito pool samples. In conclusion, we established a real-time RT-PCR assay for CxFV detection, and this assay is more sensitive and efficient than general RT-PCR. This technology may be used to monitor changes in the environmental virus levels.

TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR Assay for Detecting and Differentiating Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Objective To detect Japanese encephalitis virus（JEV） rapidly and distinguish its genotypes, a TaqMan-based reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR） detection system was developed.Methods By aligning the full-length sequences of JEV（G1-G5）, six sets of highly specific TaqMan real-time RT-PCR primers and probes were designed based on the highly conserved NS1, NS2, and M genes of JEV, which included one set for non-specific JEV detection and five sets for the detection of specific JEV genotypes. Twenty batches of mosquito samples were used to evaluate our quantitative PCR assay.Results With the specific assay, no other flavivirus were detected. The lower limits of detection of the system were 1 pfu/mL for JEV titers and 100 RNA copies/μL. The coefficients of variation of this real-time RT-PCR were all 〈 2.8%. The amplification efficiency of this method was between 90% and 103%.Conclusion A TaqMan real-time RT-PCR detection system was successfully established to detect and differentiate all five JEV genotypes.

Evaluation of real-time RT-PCR assays for detection and quantification of norovirus genogroups Ⅰ and Ⅱ

Noroviruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(real-time RT-PCR) is a promising molecular method for the detection of noroviruses. In this study, the performance of three Taq Man real-time RT-PCR assays was assessed, which were one commercially available real-time RT-PCR kit(assay A:Norovirus Real Time RT-PCR kit) and two in-house real-time RT-PCR assays(assay B: Light Cycler RNA Master Hybprobe and assay C: Real Time ready RNA Virus Master). Assays A and B showed higher sensitivity than assay C for norovirus GI, while they all had the same sensitivity(103 DNA copies/m L) for GII DNA standard controls. Assay B had the highest efficiency for both genogroups.No cross-reactivity was observed among GI and GII noroviruses, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, and poliovirus. The detection rates of these assays in GI and GII norovirus-positive fecal samples were not significantly different. However, the mean quantification cycle(Cq) value of assay B for GII was lower than assays A and C with statistical significance(P-value, 0.000). All three real-time RT-PCR assays could detect a variety of noroviruses including GI.2, GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.12, GII.17,and GII.21. This study suggests assay B as a suitable assay for the detection and quantification of noroviruses GI and GII due to good analytical sensitivity and higher performance to amplify norovirus on DNA standard controls and clinical samples.

Development of a multiplex one-step real-time RT-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of eight viruses associated with febrile rash illnesses

Fever and rash illnesses(FRIs)are a series of common diseaseswith fever and rashes as clinicalmanifestations,most of which are caused by viral infection.The rashes of FRIs are generally nonspecific;therefore it is difficult to identify FRIassociated viruses solely based on clinical symptoms.To achieve rapid and accurate identification of FRI pathogens,a multiplex one-step real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)assay was developed and evaluated in this study.Primers and probes were selected for the detection of measles virus(MeV),rubella virus(RV),human enterovirus(EV),varicella-zoster virus(VZV),dengue virus(DENV),human parvovirus B19(B19),Epstein-Barr virus(EBV),and human herpes virus 6(HHV-6),which cover the most common pathogenic viruses of FRIs.Detection of the eight FRI-associated viruses,which was divided into two groups/tubes,was simultaneously performed under universal optimized reaction conditions in multiplex one-step real-time RT-PCR assay.The multiplex realtime RT-PCR showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the eight FRI-associated viruses.The limits of detection(LODs)for the eight viruses were in the range of 47–177 copies/reaction,and no cross reactions for the eight FRIassociated viruses were found in the multiplex assay.In addition,the results of the multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay were consistent with the results of a monoplex real-time RT-PCR assay and sequencing for clinical specimens obtained from FRI patients.With its advantages of high efficiency and rapid and accurate diagnosis,multiplex real-time RT-PCR was very feasible for the early diagnosis of FRI pathogenic viruses and would be of great help for the proper treatment,monitoring,and initiation of preventive measures for FRI cases.

检测粪便中GGⅡ型诺如病毒Real-time RT-PCR方法的建立

诺如病毒是世界急性胃肠炎的重要病原之一。为加强其控制，通过序列比对设计出针对GGⅡ型诺如病毒保守序列的特异性引物与探针，建立了TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR方法。结果显示，此方法对诺如病毒核酸检测高度特异，与轮状病毒、腺病毒、甲型肝炎病毒等无交叉反应，最低检出限可达10^2拷贝，线性范围为100～100拷贝，标准曲线的相关系数为-1．00。针对标准品质粒检测的批内实验变异系数为0．28％～1．63％（n=6）、批间实验为0．28％～1．05％（n=3），对同一样品分6次进行RNA提取和逆转录，其变异系数为3增8％。对212份临床腹泻标本分别用常规RT-PCR和本文建立的TaqMan Real-time PCR进行检测，发现后者检出率略高于前者。这些结果提示此研究建立的诺如病毒的TaqMan Real-time RT-PCR检测方法可用于临床腹泻粪便标本的检测。

利用real-time RT-PCR研究大型蚤对铜绿微囊藻毒素合成基因转录水平影响

近年来关于浮游动物与微囊藻相互作用的研究逐渐被关注,其中有的研究认为浮游动物能够诱导产毒细胞毒素含量的变化.微囊藻毒素是由微囊藻毒素合成基因编码翻译的,目前关于浮游动物对微囊藻毒素合成基因相对表达的影响并无报道,本文首次通过实时定量逆转录PCR方法研究铜绿微囊藻PCC7806产毒相关基因mcyB和mcyD在大型蚤胁迫下相对表达变化.结果显示微囊藻mcyB、mcyD基因相对表达均有上调,表明铜绿微囊藻PCC7806通过上调产毒基因的转录水平达到对大型蚤的诱导防御,从而为浮游动物与微囊藻相互作用研究提供新的依据.

TaqMan MGB Real-time RT-PCR检测西尼罗病毒方法的建立

目的建立一种灵敏、特异、高效的西尼罗病毒(West Nile virus,WNV)感染诊断和流行病学调查的实验室检测方法。方法用C6/36细胞培养WNV并用Vero细胞蚀斑法滴定病毒浓度;根据WNVC蛋白基因组保守序列,设计一套特异性引物和TaqMan MGB探针,用细胞培养病毒液进行方法的条件优化;用不同病毒评价方法的特异性,用系列浓度病毒稀释液和染毒蚊子评价方法的灵敏性。结果建立的TaqMan MGB Real-time RT-PCR方法可检出低于0.01PFU的WNVRNA,并可检出只含3只染毒蚊的标本;用该方法检测4种血清型登革病毒标准毒株、日本脑炎病毒、麻疹病毒、基孔肯亚病毒均为阴性。结论新建TaqMan MGB Real-time RT-PCR方法具有极高的特异性和灵敏性,是实验室早期诊断WNV感染和调查媒介携带WNV情况的理想方法。

猴逆转录病毒RT-PCR和Real-time RT-PCR检测方法的建立

猴逆转录病毒(Simian type D retrovirus,SRV)是引起猴获得性免疫缺陷综合征(Simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,SAIDS)的病原之一,其严重危害猴的健康,并威胁与猴接触人员的健康,是无特定病原体(SPF)猴必须排除的病毒之一。为了应对口岸对进出境野生及实验用灵长类动物SRV感染情况的监测和流行病学调查的需要,建立了RT-PCR和real-time RT-PCR检测SRV的方法,并对方法的特异性、敏感性和稳定性进行了验证。

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒Real-time RT-PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为定量检测鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)载量,建立IBV的Real-timeRT-PCR方法。用RT-PCR方法扩增出IBV的N基因片段,并克隆到pEASY-T3载体中,构建成含有N基因片段的重组质粒。应用该重组质粒进行SYBRGreenⅠReal-timePCR,建立了定量检测IBV核酸的标准曲线与直线回归方程,该方法显示:特异性强,检测下限至少达到5.58×102拷贝/μL,其重复性试验的变异系数小于3.2%;用建立的方法对实验接种IBVM41株的雏鸡组织中的病毒核酸进行了定量检测,检测结果显示:攻毒后肾脏中IBV含量高于支气管和肺脏,支气管和肺脏中病毒含量在攻毒后第3天高于攻毒后第7、10天,并证实临床表现与病毒载量之间存在密切关系。研究结果表明,建立的Real-timeRT-PCR检测方法特异性强、灵敏度高、可重复性好,可用于IBV的定量检测。

利用Real-time RT-PCR法检测抗病毒活性物质对CMV复制的影响

为准确检测经活性物质处理后的烟草体内病毒含量,建立了real-time RT-PCR检测体系。从烟田中分离到1株对CMV有拮抗作用的细菌B6,经分离纯化得到拮抗CMV的活性物质B6p,其分子量为40.6 kDa。利用叶圆片法,分析了活性物质处理后寄主体内病毒的复制特点,结果表明寄主体内的病毒复制作用受到了拮抗活性物质的抑制,并且随着拮抗活性物质浓度的增加病毒的复制作用减弱。

应用Real-Time RT-PCR鉴定2个水稻品种(品系)对水稻条纹病毒的抗性差异

应用Real-time RT-PCR检测了水稻条纹病毒(Rice stripe virus,RSV)在2种水稻品种(品系)武育粳3号和KT95-418的悬浮细胞内复制变化和相对含量的差异,结合传统生物学接种试验,确定了这2个品种(品系)对RSV抗性的差异.结果表明,RSV在武育粳3号的悬浮细胞内24 h达到复制高峰,病毒含量为侵染初期的7.46倍.而在KT95-418的悬浮细胞内,RSV达到复制高峰需要36 h,病毒含量为侵染初期的4.51倍.利用病毒生物学接种的方法,武育粳3号发病率达91.7%,而KT95-418仅为36.0%.由此可见,KT95-418较武育粳3号对RSV具有较高的抗病性.因此,Real-time RT-PCR方法与传统生物学接种试验方法相比,具有更高的准确性和灵敏性,可以作为传统品种抗病性鉴定的验证手段.

流感病毒Real-time RT-PCR核酸检测及流行情况分析

目的:分析鄂尔多斯市2012年流感检测结果,为本地区流感预防控制提供科学依据。方法采用Real-time RT-PCR法对哨点医院采集的流感样病例咽拭子标本进行病毒核酸检测。结果共检测流感咽拭子标本281份,流感病毒核酸阳性35份,总阳性率为12.46%。其中乙型16份,占5.69%,季节性H3亚型15份,占5.34%,甲型H1N12份,占0.71%,甲型未分型2份,占0.71%。2012年1月~3月阳性率分别为11.36%、27.50%、37.50%,10月和12月阳性率均为5.00%,其它月份未检出阳性。结论监测显示鄂尔多斯地区流感流行季节主要为冬春季,流行毒株主要是乙型和季节性H3亚型。

Expression of Eph-Ephrin A Molecules in Endometrium During Swine Embryo Implantation Examined Using Real-Time RT-PCR

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor and its membrane-bound ligands （Eph-Ephrin） system could regulate some mammalian blastocyst attachment and spreading. In order to investigate the involvement of the Eph-Ephrin system in swine embryo attachment, mRNA expression of Eph-Ephrin molecules in endometrium was examined by real-time RT- PCR during embryo implantation in pigs. The results indicated that mRNA expressions of Eph A5, A7 and Ephrin A5 all continually increased from pregnancy day 13 to 24. Ephrin A3 mRNA expression significantly increased from day 13 to 18 and decreased from day 18 to 24, and the expression was the lowest on pregnancy day l 3 and the highest on day 18. However, Ephrin A4 mRNA expression was the lowest on pregnancy day 18 and the highest on day 24, and the expression decreased from day 13 to 18 and increased from day 18 to 24. Furthermore, mRNA expressions of Eph A5 and A7 were both found in other tissues, such as brain, muscle, intestine, stomach, etc. These findings suggest that the Eph-Ephrin system may play an important role in regulating the contact between blastocysts and endometrium during swine embryo implantation.

Multiplex real-time RT-PCR for detecting chikungunya virus and dengue virus

Objective:To develop diagnostic test for detection chikungunya virus(CHIKV and Dengue virus (DENV) infection.Methods:We have performed a rapid,accurate laboratory confirmative method to simultaneously detect,quantify and differentiate CHIKV and DENV infection by single-step multiplex real-time RT-PCR.Results:The assay’s sensitivity was 97.65%,specificity was 92.59% and accuracy was 95.82%when compared to conventional RT-PCR.Additionally,there was no cross-reaction between CHIKV,DENV,Japanese encephalitis virus,hepatitis C,hepatitis A or hepatitis E virus.Conclusions:This rapid and reliable assay provides a means for simultaneous early diagnosis of CHIKV and DENV in a single-step reaction.

A novel real-time RT-PCR with TaqM an-MGB probes and its application in detecting BVDV infections in dairy farms

A real-time RT-PCR assay using Taq Man-MGB probes was developed to detect and type the bovine viral diarrhea virus（BVDV） in cattle.Universal primers and Taq Man-MGB probes were designed from the 5′-untranslated region of known pestiviral sequences.Prior to optimizing the assay, c RNAs were transcribed in vitro from the BVDV 1 and BVDV 2 RTPCR products to make standard curves.The detection limit of the assay was 1.72×102 copies for BVDV 1 and 2.14×102copies for BVDV 2.The specificity of the assay evaluated on several BVDV strains including bovine herpesvirus 1（BHV 1）, foot and mouth disease virus（FMDV） and several classical swine fever virus（CSFV） strains showed specific detection of the positive virus over 40 cycles.The assay was highly reproducible with the coefficient of variance ranging from 1.04 to 1.33% for BVDV 1 and from 0.83 to 1.48% for BVDV 2, respectively.Using this method, we tested a total of 2 327 cattle from three dairy farms for the presence of BVDV persistently infected（PI） animals.In this assay, each RT-PCR template contained a mixture of ten samples from different animals.The occurrence rate of PI cattle in three farms ranging from 0.9 to 2.54% could represent partly the PI rates in cattle farm in China.In conclusion, using our real-time PCR assay, we could effectively detect and type BVDV and identify PI cattle in a rapid and cost-effective manner.

Development of a real-time RT-PCR method for the detection of newly emerged highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses

In 2013, a human influenza outbreak caused by a novel H7N9 virus occurred in China. Recently, the H7N9 virus acquired multiple basic amino acids at its hemagglutinin（HA） cleavage site, leading to the emergence of a highly pathogenic virus. The development of an effective diagnostic method is imperative for the prevention and control of highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza. Here, we designed and synthesized three pairs of primers based on the nucleotide sequence at the HA cleavage site of the newly emerged highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza virus. One of the primer pairs and the corresponding probe displayed a high level of amplification efficiency on which a real-time RT-PCR method was established. Amplification using this method resulted in a fluorescent signal for only the highly pathogenic H7N9 virus, and not for any of the H1–H15 subtype reference strains, thus demonstrating high specificity. The method detected as low as 39.1 copies of HA-positive plasmid and exhibited similar sensitivity to the virus isolation method using embryonated chicken eggs. Importantly, the real-time RT-PCR method exhibited 100% consistency with the virus isolation method in the diagnosis of field samples. Collectively, our data demonstrate that this real-time RT-PCR assay is a rapid, sensitive and specific method, and the application will greatly aid the surveillance, prevention, and control of highly pathogenic H7N9 influenza viruses.

A direct real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for rapid high-throughput detection of highly pathogenic North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in China without RNA purification

Background： Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV）, and particularly its highly pathogenic genotype （HP-PRRSV）, have caused massive economic losses to the global swine industry. Results： To rapidly identify HP-PRRSV, we developed a direct reaL-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method （dRT-PCR） that could detect the virus from serum specimen without the need of RNA purification Our dRT-PCR assay can be completed in 1.5 h from when a sample is received to obtaining a result. Additionally, the sensitivity of dRT-PCR matched that of conventional reverse transcription PCR （cRT-PCR） that used purified RNA The lowest detection limit of HP-PRRSV was 6.3 TCIDs0 using dRT-PCR. We applied dRT-PCR assay to 144 field samples and the results showed strong consistency with those obtained by cRT-PCR. Moreover, the dRT-PCR method was able to tolerate 5-20% （v/v） serum. Conclusions： Our dRT-PCR assay allows for easier, faster, more cost-effective and higher throughput detection of HP-PRRSV compared with cRT-PCR methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to describe a real-time RT-PCR assay capable of detecting PRRSV in crude serum samples without the requirement for purifying RNA. We believe our approach has a great potential for application to other RNA viruses.

Detection and clinical significance of multidrug resistance-1 mRNA in bone marrow cells in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR

Objective： Multidrug resistance（MDR） is one of the most important reasons for treatment failure and recurrence of acute leukemia. Its manifestations are different in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia（ALL） which may be due to different detection methods. This study was to detect the expression of MDR1 mRNA in bone marrow cells of children with ALL by real-time fluorescence- quantitative reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction（FQ-RT-PCR）, and combine minimal residual desease（MRD） detection by flow cytometry（FCM） and to study their relationship with treatment response and prognosis of ALL. Methods：The MDR1 mRNA levels in bone marrow cells from 67 children with ALL[28 had newly diagnosed disease, 27 had achieved complete remission（CR）, 12 recurrent] and 22 children without leukemia were detected by FQ-RT-PCR. MRD was detected by FCM. The patients were observed for 9-101 months, with a median of 64 months. Results：Standard curves of human MDR1 and GAPDH genes were constructed successfully. MDR1 mRNA was detected in all children with a positive rate of 100%. The mRNA level of MDR1 was similar among the newly diagnosed ALL group, CR group, and control group（P 〉 0.05）, but significantly higher in the recurrence group than that in newly diagnosed disease group and control group（0.50 ± 0.55 vs. 0.09 ± 0.26 and 0.12 ± 0.23, P〈 0.05）. 54 ALL patients were followed up, and it was found that MDR1 mRNA level was significantly higher in ALL patients within 3 years duration than that of ALL patients with 3-6 years and over 6 years duration（0.63 ± 0.56 vs. 0.11 ± 0.12 and 0.04 ± 0.06, P〈 0.01）. For the 28 children with newly diagnosed disease, the MDR1 mRNA level was similar between WBC 〉 50 ~ 109 group and WBC〈50 × 10^9 group（P〉 0.05）. In the 33 CR patients, the MDR1 mRNA level was significantly higher in MRD〉10a group than that in MRD〈10a group（0.39 ± 0.47 vs. 0.03 ± 0.03, P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion：The sensitivity and specificity of FQ-RT-PCR in detecting MDR1 mRNA in bone marrowy cells of children with ALL patients are high. MDR1 mRNA is expressed in children with and without leukemia. MDR1 mRNA is highly expressed in the CR ALL patients with high MRD, recurrence and short duration（within 3 years）. Monitoring MRD and the MDR1 mRNA level might be helpful for individual treatment.