Development of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of hepatitis C virus,hepatitis B virus,and human immunodeficiency virus 1

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus(HCV),hepatitis B virus(HBV),and human immunodeficiency virus 1(HIV-1)are the most epidemic blood-borne viruses,posing threats to human health and causing economic losses to nations for combating the infection transmission.The diagnostic methodologies that depend on the detection of viral nucleic acids are much more expensive,but they are more accurate than sero-logical testing.AIM To develop a rapid,cost-effective,and accurate diagnostic multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)assay for simultaneous detection of HCV,HBV,and HIV-1.METHODS The design of the proposed PCR assay targets the amplification of a short conserved region featured with a distinguishable melting profile and electro-phoretic molecular weight inside each viral genome.Therefore,this diagnostic method will be appropriate for application in both conventional(combined with electrophoresis)and real-time PCR facilities.Confirmatory in silico investigations were conducted to prove the capability of the approached PCR assay to detect variants of each virus.Then,Egyptian isolates of each virus were subjected to the wet lab examination using the given diagnostic assay.RESULTS The in silico investigations confirmed that the PCR primers can match many viral variants in a multiplex PCR assay.The wet lab experiment proved the efficiency of the assay in distinguishing each viral type through high-resolution melting analysis.Compared to related published assays,the proposed assay in the current study is more sensitive and competitive with many expensive PCR assays.CONCLUSION This study provides a simple,cost-effective,and sensitive diagnostic PCR assay facilitating the detection of the most epidemic blood-borne viruses;this makes the proposed assay promising to be substitutive for the mistakable and cheap serological-based assays.

Human papillomavirus 16 physical status detection in preinvasive and invasive cervical carcinoma by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction

Objective： To explore an ideal approach for detecting the physical status of HPV-16 in clinic use and to investigate the integrated HPV-16 in CINs and cervical cancer. Methods： Multiplex real-time PCR method was established to quantify the copy numbers of E2 and E6 genes （E2/E6） for analysis of the physical status of HPV-16 DNA and this assay was compared to Southern blot analysis. HPV-16-containing paraffin-embedded tissues including 49 CINs and 51 cervical squamous cancers were detected using the method. Results： （1） The cutoff ratio of E2/E6 to distinguish pure episomal from mixed HPV-16, was 0.81 in the multiplex real-time PCR; （2） The agreement rate between multiplex real-time PCR and Southern blot was 81.5% （the Kappa statistic was 0.844, P〈0.001）; （3） HPV-16 DNA existed in an episomal form in 57.1% and mixed form in 42.9% of CIN I lesions; The concomitant form of HPV-16 （〉70%） constituted the majodty in CIN Ⅱ and CIN Ⅲ; HPV-16 DNA mostly integrated into the host chromosome （s） in squamous cervical cancers （68.6%）; （4） The incidence of HPV-16 integration was increased with the degree of cervical lesions; （5） The frequency of pure integrated HPV-16 in stage Ⅱ＋Ⅲ （88%） was significantly higher than that in stage Ⅰ （33.3%）. Conclusion： （1） Mutiplex real-time PCR provides a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for clinic detection of the physical state of HPV-16 DNA; （2） The integration of the HPV-16 DNA is a very eady and important event in the progression from preinvasive to invasive cervical cancer; （3） The pure integrated status of HPV-16 in cervical cancer may be associated with poor prognosis of cervical cancer, but further study will be needed to prove its prognostic significance.

DETECTION OF PATHOGENS CAUSING GENITAL ULCER DISEASE BY MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION

Objective To establish a multiplex polymerase chain reaction （M-PCR） assay for simultaneous detection of pathogens causing genital ulcer disease （GUD）. Mothods Based on the gene-specific region of the following pathogens： Chlamydia trachomatis omp l/ompb, herpes simplex virus （HSV） DNA polymerase, Treponema pollidum tpp47, Haemophilus ducreyi 16s rRNA, four sets of primers were designed and an M-PCR assay was developed to detect four pathogens in one test. The assay was evaluated with diagnostic result of golden standard for each pathogen.Results Of the 51 clinical samples, M-PCR showed slightly higher positive rate （47.1%） of HSV than cell culture （23.6%）. Meanwhile, the positive rate of T. pallidum detected by M-PCR and dark-field microscopy was 19.6% （10/51） and 15.7% （8/51）, respectively. Only one sample was positive for H. ducreyi and no sample was positive for C. trachomatis detected by both M-PCR assay and culture. Conclusion This primary study indicated that M-PCR assay can simultaneously and rapidly detect the four etiologic pathogens causing GUD.

Detection of the Pandemic H1N1/2009 Influenza A Virus by a Highly Sensitive Quantitative Real-time Reverse-transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

A quantitative real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR） assay with specific primers recommended by the World Health Organization （WHO） has been widely used successfully for detection and monitoring of the pandemic H1N1/2009 influenza A virus. In this study, we report the design and characterization of a novel set of primers to be used in a qRT-PCR assay for detecting the pandemic H1N1/2009 virus. The newly designed primers target three regions that are highly conserved among the hemagglutinin （HA） genes of the pandemic HlN1/2009 viruses and are different from those targeted by the WHO-recommended primers. The qRT-PCR assays with the newly designed primers are highly specific, and as specific as the WHO-recommended primers for detecting pandemic H1N1/2009 viruses and other influenza viruses including influenza B viruses and influenza A viruses of human, swine, and raccoon dog origin. Furthermore, the qRT-PCR assays with the newly designed primers appeared to be at least 10-fold more sensitive than those with the WHO-recommended primers as the detection limits of the assays with our primers and the WHO-recommended primers were 2.5 and 25 copies of target RNA per reaction, respectively. When tested with 83 clinical samples, 32 were detected to be positive using the qRT-PCR assays with our designed primers, while only 25 were positive by the assays with the WHO-recommended primers. These results suggest that the qRT-PCR system with the newly designed primers represent a highly sensitive assay for diagnosis of the pandemic HIN1/2009 virus infection.

Efficacy of stool multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay in adult patients with acute infectious diarrhea

BACKGROUND Recently,stool multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)tests have been developed for identifying diarrhea-causing bacterial pathogens.Furthermore,fecal calprotectin is a well-known effective marker for intestinal mucosal inflammation.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of stool multiplex PCR and fecal calprotectin in acute infectious diarrhea.METHODS Overall,400 patients with acute infectious diarrhea were enrolled from Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital(January 2016 to December 2018).Multiplex PCR detected 7 enteropathogenic bacteria including Salmonella,Campylobacter,Shigella,Escherichia coli O157:H7,Aeromonas,Vibrio,and Clostridium difficile.We reviewed clinical and laboratory findings using stool multiplex PCR.RESULTS Stool multiplex PCR test detected considerably more bacterial pathogens than stool culture(49.2%vs 5.2%),with Campylobacter as the most common pathogen(54%).Patients with positive stool PCR showed elevated fecal calprotectin expression compared to patients with negative stool PCR(1124.5±816.9 mg/kg vs 609±713.2 mg/kg,P=0.001).C-reactive protein(OR=1.01,95%CI:1.001-1.027,P=0.034)and sigmoidoscopy-detected colitis(OR=4.76,95%CI:1.101-20.551,P=0.037)were independent factors in stool PCR-based detection of bacterial pathogens.Sensitivity and specificity of calprotectin were evaluated to be 70.5%and 60.9%,respectively(adjusted cut-off value=388 mg/kg).CONCLUSION Stool multiplex PCR test has increased sensitivity in detecting pathogens than conventional culture,and it is correlated with calprotectin expression.Stool multiplex PCR and calprotectin may be effective in predicting clinical severity of infectious diarrhea.

USE OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) TO DETECT MONOCLONALITY OF B CELL LYMPHO-PROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS

A technique has been developed using PCR to detect monoclonality of B-lymphoproliferative disorders. DNA was extracted from the blood, tissue and paraffin embedded sections by biochemical means or boiling. Forty cases of B-non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 15 cases of T-NHL, 8 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, 17 cases of reactive lymphadenopathy and 12 cases of various non-lym-phocytic tumor were examined. Monoclonality of B-lymphocytes was detected in 86-92% of cases with B-lymphoproliferative diseases, but none in T-NHL, reactive disorders and non-lymphatic tumors. This technique provides a new molecular biologic method to diagnose malignant B-lymphoproliferative dicor-ders. It may be useful in Ig gene rearrangement study, differential diagnosis and retrospective investigation of lymphoproliferative disorders.

Multiplex RT-PCR-based detections of CEA, CK20 and EGFR in colorectal cancer patients

AIM: To develop a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method detecting cir-culating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 88 CRC patients and 40 healthy individuals from the blood donors' clinic and subsequently analyzed by multiplex RT-RCR for the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA. The analysis involved determining the detection rates of CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts vs disease stage and overall survival. Median follow-up period was 19 mo (range 8-28 mo). RESULTS: Rates of CEA, CK20 and EGFR detection in CRC patients were 95.5%, 78.4% and 19.3%, respectively. CEA transcripts were detected in 3 healthy volunteer samples (7.5%), whereas all control samples were tested negative for CK20 and EGFR transcripts. The increasing number of positive detections for CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts in each blood sample was positively correlated with Astler-Coller disease stage (P< 0.001) and preoperative serum levels of CEA (P=0.029) in CRC patients. Data analysis using Kaplan-Meier estimator documented signif icant differences in the overall survival of the different CRC patient groups as formed according to the increasing number of positivity for CEA, CK20 and EGFR transcripts. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that multiplex RTPCR assay can provide useful information concerning disease stage and overall survival of CRC patients.

Dual-priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex PCR using tissue samples in rapid urease test in the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM: To investigate whether tissue samples processed by the rapid urease test (RUT) kit are suitable for dual-priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (DPO-PCR) to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Real-time Fluorescence PCR Method for Detection of Burkholderia glumae from Rice

Burkholderia glumae causing seedling rot and grain rot of rice was listed as a plant quarantine disease of China in 2007. It＇s quite necessary to set up effective detection methods for the pathogen to manage further dispersal of this disease. The present study combined the real-time PCR method with classical PCR to increase the detecting efficiency, and to develop an accurate, rapid and sensitive method to detect the pathogen in the seed quarantine for effective management of the disease. The results showed that all the tested strains of B. glumae produced about 139 bp specific fragments by the real-time PCR and the general PCR methods, while others showed negative PCR result. The bacteria could be detected at the concentrations of 1×10^4 CFU/mL by general PCR method and at the concentrations below 100 CFU/mL by real-time fluorescence PCR method. B. glumae could be detected when the inoculated and healthy seeds were mixed with a proportion of 1：100.

Current molecular methods for the detection of hepatitis C virus in high risk group population:A systematic review

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is an emerging infection worldwide and the numbers of persons infected are increasing every year. Poor blood transfusion methods along with unsafe injection practices are potential sources for the rapid spread of infection. Early detection of HCV is the need of the hour especially in high riskgroup population as these individuals are severely immunocompromised. Enzyme Immunoassays are the most common detection techniques but they provide no evidence of active viremia or identification of infected individuals in the antibody-negative phase and their efficacy is limited in individuals within high risk group population. Molecular virological techniques have an important role in detecting active infection with utmost specificity and sensitivity. Technologies for assessment of HCV antibody and RNA levels have improved remarkably, as well as our understanding of how to best use these tests in patient management. This review aims to give an overview of the different serological and molecular methods employed in detecting HCV infection used nowadays. Additionally, the review gives an insight in the new molecular techniques that are being developed to improve the detection techniques particularly in High Risk Group population who are severely immunocompromised.

Highly sensitive ECL-PCR method for detection of K-ras point mutation

A highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence-polymerase chain reaction (ECL-PCR) method for K-ras point mutation detection is developed. Briefly, K-ras oncogene was amplified by a Ru(bpy)3(2+) (TBR)-labeled forward and a biotin-labeled reverse primer, and followed by digestion with MvaI restriction enzyme, which only cut the wild-type amplicon containing its cutting site. The digested product was then adsorbed to the streptavidin-coated microbead through the biotin label and detected by ECL assay. The experiment results showed that the different genotypes can be clearly discriminated by ECL-PCR method. It is useful in point mutation detection, due to its sensitivity, safety, and simplicity.

Clinical Application of Multiplex PCR Assay for the Diagnosis of the Etiology of Genital Ulcer Disease Among Patients Attending STD Clinics in Guangzhou, China

Objectives: To develop a method of simultaneous PCR detection of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, andHerpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2 from genital ulcersamong patients attending STD clinics in Guangzhou, China;and evaluate the clinical application of multiplex PCR (M-PCR) assay for diagnosing the etiology of genital ulcerdiseases (GUD). Methods: 244 patients with a genital ulcer were evaluated.Clinical etiology of GUD was based on physical appearanceand microbiologic evaluations that included darkfieldmicroscopy examination (D-F) and serology test for syphilis(STS). Swabs of each genital ulcer were tested for HSVantigen by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and processed in anM-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of T pallidum, HSVand H ducreyi. Results: The standard strains of T pallidum, HSV and Hducreyi were amplified by M-PCR, producing amplifiedproducts of 260bp,432bp,170bp, respectively. The sensitivityof M-PCR is 10~2 pg DNA. M-PCR assay for T.pallidum, HSVand H ducreyi showed good agreement en compared with D-F detection for T pallidum, STS, H ducreyi culture and EIAfor HSV antigen (Kappa scores are 0.774,0.704,0.793,0.756,respectively). Conclusions: The M-PCR is a convenient, accurate andreliable assay for the detection of T pallidum, HSV and Hducreyi from genital ulcers, and can be used as a method ofdiagnosing the etiology of GUD.

4种植物源性成分多重real-time PCR检测方法的建立及其在食用淀粉中的应用

建立一种可同时快速检测红薯、木薯、马铃薯、玉米源性成分的多重实时聚合酶链式反应(real-time polymerase chain reaction,real-time PCR)方法。分别以红薯g3pdh基因、木薯g3pdh基因、马铃薯UGPase基因、玉米zSSIIb基因为靶基因设计特异性引物和TaqMan探针,以18S rRNA基因为内参基因,建立多重real-time PCR方法,开展方法学验证,并对不同掺入比例模拟样品和实际淀粉样品进行检测。结果显示,该方法具有高通量、特异性强、灵敏度高等优点。与15种非目标源性均无交叉反应;对目标DNA的检测灵敏度可达到3×10^(-3) ng/μL,且具有良好的线性关系和扩增效率;对淀粉样品的检出限可达0.1%,对50份实际样品进行检测,结果与参比方法一致,说明建立的多重real-time PCR法可用于食用淀粉种类掺假鉴别检测。

基于主成分分析的多重定量PCR荧光串扰校正

聚合酶链式反应(PCR)是分子生物学常用的检测手段,主要用于对生物的DNA或RNA进行检测。由于荧光光谱重叠和滤光片过滤带宽限制,检测时所获得的荧光数据通常会包含荧光通道之间的串扰,串扰的存在使PCR结果分析变得复杂,并可能影响最终的检测结果。选择合适的光学元件,并确定通道间的补偿矩阵,可以降低甚至消除荧光串扰。目前荧光补偿矩阵大多通过迭代计算获得,还没有一种简单的方法可以从混合的多通道荧光数据中找到荧光补偿矩阵。为了快速获得荧光补偿矩阵,减小计算量,采用主成分分析法(PCA)中确定主成分的方式,基于搭建的测试平台进行单一染料实验,获得染料的荧光信号在各个检测通道的分布情况,计算得到荧光补偿矩阵。通过分析补偿矩阵,发现对于搭建的硬件系统,Cy5染料对Cy5.5通道串扰较大,串扰比例为8.76%,同时Cy5.5染料对Cy5通道串扰影响也相对较大,比例约为6.2%;其次是ROX染料对HEX通道串扰,比例约为2.68%;HEX染料对FAM通道串扰,比例约为1.58%;FAM染料对HEX通道串扰相对较小,比例约为0.25%,其余通道无明显串扰,与荧光光谱反映的结果一致。采用得到的荧光补偿矩阵对单一染料实验得到的原始荧光数据进行处理,有效去除了非目标通道的荧光串扰,实现了荧光通道数据的解耦,验证了方法的可行性。最后设计了染料颜色分辨实验,将不同浓度的多种染料进行组合测试,并采用所提出的方法将得到的数据进行荧光补偿。实验结果表明,荧光通道各自的线性相关性较高,五个荧光通道的线性相关系数r均大于0.99,该结果进一步验证了该补偿方法的有效性。

多重PCR毛细管电泳细菌快速鉴定方法的建立和临床应用研究

目的针对引起人类感染的常见病原菌建立一种基于多重PCR毛细管电泳技术的快速细菌鉴定方法,评估其临床应用价值。方法建立23种常见病原菌的多重PCR毛细管电泳检测体系。收集150例临床微生物检测标本,分别用多重PCR毛细管电泳法(以下简称多重PCR法)、培养法进行检测。对两种方法的检测结果进行比较,评价多重PCR法的检测效能。结果150例标本中多重PCR法检出15种病原菌、培养法检出14种病原菌。多重PCR法检测阳性率为73.3%,培养法为70.0%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。多重PCR法对肺炎链球菌的检出率为16.0%,培养法为6.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多重PCR法对混合菌标本的检出率为15.3%,培养法未检出混合菌标本。多重PCR法与培养法检测结果的符合率为79.3%。多重PCR法检测时间为3~6 h,培养法为2~4 d。结论与培养法比较,多重PCR法具有较高的时效性,对肺炎链球菌及混合菌标本具有较高的检出率,可满足临床标本病原微生物快速初筛的需求。

One-Pot Polymerase Chain Reaction with Gold Nanoparticles for Rapid and Ultrasensitive DNA Detection

We report a novel method for rapid,colorimetric detection of a specific deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)sequence by carrying out a polymerase chain reaction in the presence of gold nanoparticles functionalized with two primers.Extension of the primers when the target DNA is present as a template during the polymerase chain reaction process affords the complementary sequences on the gold nanoparticle surfaces and results in the formation of gold nanoparticle aggregates with a concomitant color change from red to pinkish/purple.This method provides a convenient and straightforward solution for ultrasensitive DNA detection without any further post-treatment of the polymerase chain reaction products being necessary,and is a promising tool for rapid disease diagnostics and gene sequencing.

帕利亚姆病毒实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立与应用

本研究拟建立帕利亚姆病毒(Palyam virus,PALV)血清型特异性实时荧光定量RT-PCR(qRT-PCR)方法用于临床样本或媒介中PALV血清型鉴定。根据我国流行PALV毒株的基因节段2序列,设计扩增引物和TaqMan探针,建立PALV血清型特异型qRT-PCR方法,对方法的特异性、灵敏性与重复性进行评估;以我国分离的28株PALV和90份核酸阳性血液样本评估检测方法的可靠性;利用建立的方法对采集库蠓样本中携带的PALV进行血清型鉴定。结果显示,建立的PALV血清型qRT-PCR检测方法具有良好的特异性与灵敏性,可检出核酸拷贝数下限在22至28 copies·μL^(-1)。对28株PALV的qRT-PCR检测结果与病毒测序鉴定结果一致;对PALV不同感染阶段哨兵动物血液(90份)中的qRT-PCR鉴定结果与分离病毒的血清型鉴定结果一致;建立的方法可准确鉴定库蠓中携带PALV的血清型。本研究建立的PALV血清型qRT-PCR定型方法具有良好的特异强、敏感性与重复性,可用于PALV感染动物与媒介中PALV血清型的鉴定,具有良好的应用价值。

香辛料SYBR GREENⅠ染料实时聚合酶链式反应检测方法的建立及应用

目的:本研究致力于建立香辛料真实性成分的分子鉴定方法,为香辛料的掺假提供有效的鉴定和检测方法,在不同的使用条件下分别实现定性或半定量分析,为建立相关标准提供一定的基础技术支撑。方法:研究采用SYBR GREENⅠ染料实时聚合酶链式反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)方法,通过设计特异性引物成功建立了特异性检测八角、茴香、胡椒和花椒的分析技术。结果:该方法能够特异性检测出八角、茴香、胡椒、花椒,Ct值在标准品体积分数0.001%~10%范围内线性关系良好。针对八角标准品,检测限为1%;针对茴香、花椒、胡椒标准品,最检测限均为0.001%。利用该方法对5份实际样本进行检测,分别在样本1中未检测出八角、茴香、胡椒、花椒;样本2、3、5中检测出八角、茴香、胡椒;样本4中检测出八角、茴香、胡椒、花椒。结论:本实验建立的SYBR GREENⅠ染料实时PCR方法灵敏度高、重复性好,可应用于实际样品的检测。

仰口线虫PCR检测方法的建立及应用

为特异性检测羊感染仰口线虫的情况,基于仰口线虫ITS基因序列设计特异性引物,进行退火温度及反应条件的优化,建立其属特异性PCR检测方法。应用该方法对仰口线虫、食道口线虫、毛尾线虫、捻转血矛线虫、细颈线虫、奥斯特线虫、夏伯特线虫、筒线虫、毛圆线虫的DNA样本进行扩增,仅能特异性扩增出仰口线虫的目的条带;该方法成功从仰口线虫中扩增出约500 bp的特异性片段,最低检测浓度为3.6×10^(3)copies/μL;该PCR检测方法对临床奶山羊粪便样品的检测结果显示,羊粪便样品中仰口线虫卵的阳性率为10%,且与显微镜镜检所得的结果一致。结果表明,建立的仰口线虫PCR检测方法敏感性较高且特异性良好,可以应用于临床羊粪便样品中仰口线虫的虫卵检测,为羊仰口线虫病的诊断与防治提供了一种技术支持。