ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR ( qRT-PCR) method for detection of hepatitis E virus ( HEV) of different genotypes based on standard HEV DNA plasmid in order to promote its application in clinical laboratory. Methods Specific primers and probe of HEV were designed based on the conserved open reading frame 3 (ORF3) regions. HEV DNA plasmids were construc-ted and 10-fold serial dilutions of the plasmids were prepared and used as standards to establish one-step qRT-PCR. The established method was compared with HEV antigen, antibody and RT-nPCR assays. Some positive samples were sequenced and analyzed by evolutionary tree. Results The one-step qRT-PCR meth-od for HEV detection in serum or feces samples was successfully establish. It could reach a sensitivity of 25 copies/test and 77. 8% of its results were consistent with those by HEV antigen assay. Nine patients were infected with HEV of genotypes 4a, 4d or 4n as indicated by evolutionary tree. Conclusion The HEV qRT-PCR method based on its standard plasmid is successfully established, which paves the way for commercial-ization of clinical applications.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction ( RT-nPCR ) assay for detection of tree shrews orthoreovirus (TRV).Methods Three strains of TRV were respectively isolated from fresh feces of three tree shrews that came from the same field at different times .We designed and synthesized two pairs of MRV L1 gene nested primers and established the system of RT-nPCR.The TRV RNA was extracted and reversely transcribed to cDNA as a template for nested-PCR amplification.The developed RT-nPCR was optimized.The specificity and sensitivity were tested.Finally, the RT-nPCR was used to detect TRV in 25 tree shrew samples.Results Taking the genomic RNA of TRV as template, the RT-nPCR was able to amplify a specific fragment band targeting the L 1 gene, while there were no target bands in the normal cell control , ( Wa strain rotavirus , hepatitis A virus , and herpes simplex virus ) .The RNA of TRV was diluted by 1:10 to 1:109 .Each dilution sample was analyzed by the RT-nPCR.The minimum detectable concentration of RNA was 0.01 pg/μL.The results of RT-nPCR detection showed that 4 of the 15 tree shrews were TRV-positive in the survival group , and 10 of 10 tree shrews were TRV-positive in the death group . Conclusions The RT-nRCR assay established in this study is accurate , specific and sensitive .Therefore, it can be used for routine detection of TRV in quality assurance testing .