Rapid detection of important human pathogenic Phleboviruses

J Clin Virol. 2008 Feb;41(2):138-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.10.001. Epub 2007 Nov 19.

Abstract

Background: Rapid diagnostics are not available for several human pathogens in the genus Phlebovirus of the Bunyaviridae.

Objectives: To develop RT-PCR assays for Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Sandfly Fever Naples virus (SFNV), Toscana virus (TOSV) and Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV).

Study design: RNA standards were generated and used to test the performance of the assays.

Results: A detection limit of 10-100 RNA molecules was determined for the SFSV, TOSV and RVFV assays. The sensitivity of the SFNV assay was not determined. The TOSV and the RVFV assays detected recent isolates from Spain and Africa, respectively.

Conclusion: The assays should help to improve surveillance of pathogenic Phleboviruses.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bunyaviridae Infections / virology*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Humans
  • Phlebovirus / classification*
  • Phlebovirus / genetics
  • Phlebovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Rift Valley fever virus / genetics
  • Rift Valley fever virus / isolation & purification
  • Sandfly fever Naples virus / genetics
  • Sandfly fever Naples virus / isolation & purification
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Species Specificity
  • Taq Polymerase / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Taq Polymerase