Development of a primer-probe energy transfer real-time PCR assay for improved detection of classical swine fever virus

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a contagious and devastating disease, causing serious losses in the pig industry worldwide. Vaccination of pigs with the conventional C-strain vaccine has been practised in different regions of the world in order to prevent the disease. In the control programmes of CSF, rapid detection and identification of the causing agent, classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a crucial step. This study describes a novel real-time PCR assay based on primer-probe energy transfer (PriProET) technology for improved detection of CSFV. The assay is able to detect 20 copies of viral cDNA per reaction, showing a high sensitivity. The specificity has been evaluated by testing 57 pestiviruses, representing all species and unclassified pestiviruses. The assay has been found to be highly reproducible. Following PCR amplification, melting curve analysis allows confirmation of specific amplicons, and differentiation between wild-type CSFV and certain C-strain vaccines. This study provides a new tool for the diagnosis of CSF.     

Evaluation of a real-time RT-PCR assay using minor groove binding probe for specific detection of Chinese wild-type classical swine fever virus

A one-step real-time RT-PCR assay using a minor groove binding probe was developed for the specific detection of Chinese wild-type classical swine fever virus (CSFV). The assay detected wild-type CSFV strains representing different genotypes, but did not amplify viral RNA from the Hog Cholera Lipinized Virus (HCLV) vaccine-strain and other porcine viruses. The assay had a detection limit of 10 copies/reaction or 3.0 median tissue culture infective dose/reaction. In comparison to the sequencing nested RT-PCR assay, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 98.3% and 94.3%, respectively, when testing 515 veterinary samples. Wild-type CSFV RNA was detected in nasal swabs 2-4 days before detection in serum samples from pigs exposed to infection by contact, and 2-4 days prior to the onset of clinical disease. HCLV RNA remained undetectable in nasal swabs and serum samples from vaccinated pigs. In conclusion, the novel assay described in this study provides a rapid and sensitive method for differentiating between wild-type and the HCLV-strain of CSFV. It could be used for monitoring in CSF outbreak areas or as a screening method for CSFV eradication strategies.     

A generic real-time TaqMan assay for specific detection of lapinized Chinese vaccines against classical swine fever

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious disease, causing severe economic losses in the pig industry worldwide. Vaccination of pigs with lapinized Chinese vaccines is still practised in some regions of the world, where the virus is enzootic, in order to prevent and control the disease. However, a single real-time assay that can detect all lapinized Chinese vaccines used widely, namely, Lapinized Philippines Coronel (LPC), Hog Cholera Lapinized virus (HCLV) and the Riems C-strain is still lacking. This study describes a real-time RT-PCR assay, targeting the N^pro gene region, for specific detection of these lapinized vaccine strains. The assay is highly sensitive, with a detection limit of 10 genome copies per reaction for HCLV and Riems C-strain and highly specific, as more than 100 strains of wild type CSFV representing all major genotypes were not detected. The assay is also highly repeatable: the coefficient of variation of Ct values in three runs was 2.77% for the detection of 10 copies of the vaccine viral RNA. This study provides a potentially useful tool for specific detection of the lapinized Chinese vaccines, HCLV and C-strain, and the differentiation of these vaccines from wild type CSFV.     

Preclinical diagnosis of African swine fever in contact-exposed swine by a real-time PCR assay

A fluorogenic probe hydrolysis (TaqMan) PCR assay for African swine fever virus (ASFV) was developed and evaluated in experimentally infected swine. This sensitive and specific one-step single-tube assay, which can be performed in 2 h or less, detected viral DNA in tonsil scraping samples 2 to 4 days prior to onset of clinical disease. Thus, the assay would have application for preclinical diagnosis of African swine fever and surveillance and/or emergency management of a disease outbreak.     

反转录酶活性检测实时荧光定量PCR方法的建立

目的在传统产物增强性反转录酶（PERT）活性检测方法基础上建立检测反转录酶活性的实时荧光定量PCR方法。方法以噬菌体MS2RNA为模板,设计、合成引物和探针,并分别以连续10倍倍比稀释的AMV反转录酶（1×10-1～1×10-9U/μl）标准品催化体外反转录反应合成相应cDNA。采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测底物cDNA模板量,并获得相应的PCR荧光值曲线,分析AMV反转录酶的相对活性。同时应用传统PERT方法对cDNA进行扩增,测定该方法的灵敏度。结果将AMV反转录酶标准品连续10倍倍比稀释后催化反转录反应,实时荧光定量PCR分析所得的反转录产物cDNA,结果得到与理论值完全相符合的PCR标准荧光值曲线;定量分析结果显示,浓度为1×10-2～1×10-8U/μl的AMV反转录酶均可得到相应的荧光值。不同稀释度的AMV反转录酶,经传统PERT方法扩增后,结果显示浓度为1×10-3～1×10-7U/μl的AMV反转录酶均可见大小为112bp的阳性条带,检测灵敏度达到1×10-7U/μl。结论成功建立了基于实时荧光定量PCR技术的检测反转录酶活性的新方法,实验操作简单,具有高精确性和无污染性,为生物制品外来污染尤其是反转录病毒污染的检测提供了参考指标。     

反转录酶活性检测实时荧光定量PCR方法的建立

目的 在传统产物增强性反转录酶(PERT)活性检测方法基础上建立检测反转录酶活性的实时荧光定量PCR方法.方法 以噬菌体MS2 RNA为模板,设计、合成引物和探针,并分别以连续10倍倍比稀释的AMV反转录酶(1×10-1～1×10-9 U/μl)标准品催化体外反转录反应合成相应cDNA.采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测底物cDNA模板量,并获得相应的PCR荧光值曲线,分析AMV反转录酶的相对活性.同时应用传统PERT方法对cDNA进行扩增,测定该方法的灵敏度.结果 将AMV反转录酶标准品连续10倍倍比稀释后催化反转录反应,实时荧光定量PCR分析所得的反转录产物cDNA,结果得到与理论值完全相符合的PCR标准荧光值曲线;定量分析结果显示,浓度为1×10-2～1×10-8U/μl的AMV反转录酶均可得到相应的荧光值.不同稀释度的AMV反转录酶,经传统PERT方法扩增后,结果显示浓度为1×10-3～1×10-7 U/μl的AMV反转录酶均可见大小为112 bp的阳性条带,检测灵敏度达到1×10-7U/μl.结论 成功建立了基于实时荧光定量PCR技术的检测反转录酶活性的新方法,实验操作简单,具有高精确性和无污染性,为生物制品外来污染尤其是反转录病毒污染的检测提供了参考指标.     

Characterisation of the discrepancy between PCR and virus isolation in relation to classical swine fever virus detection

In order to confirm and characterise further the discrepancies observed between diagnostic RT-nPCR and virus isolation results for the detection of classical swine fever virus (CSFV), a test panel of three new RT-PCRs was designed, amplifying parts of the NS2, NS3 and NS5A regions. Screening of negative samples by virus isolation with the new panel not only confirmed the discrepancies previously observed but also indicated that these were not associated with a specific genomic region. However, none of the PCR-positive samples were positive on all the different PCRs and preferential amplification was not obtained even when a more sensitive real-time RT-PCR was used. Furthermore, the primer-dependent amplification, most likely caused by the presence of viral fragments, demonstrates the necessity of confirming a single positive PCR result, certainly in the presence of contradictory virus isolation results. The new PCR panel, in combination with sequencing, can be used as a tool to provide additional information on the nature of the viral RNA present in the sample.     

Development of a TaqMan PCR assay with internal amplification control for the detection of African swine fever virus

A closed-tube polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to allow the rapid detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV) DNA. This assay targets the VP72 gene of ASFV and uses the 5'-nuclease assay (TaqMan) system to detect PCR amplicons, avoiding tube opening and potential cross-contamination of post-PCR products. An artificial mimic was engineered with the TaqMan probe site replaced by a larger irrelevant DNA fragment allowing discrimination from ASFV by using two-colour TaqMan probe reporters. When added to the samples, successful amplification of this mimic demonstrated the absence of substances inhibitory to PCR, thereby validating negative results. Assay sensitivity was confirmed by obtaining positive signals with a representative selection of ASFV isolates. Many of the clinical and post-mortem features of ASF resemble those of classical swine fever (CSF) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). Therefore, fast and reliable detection of ASFV is essential not only for the implementation of control measures to prevent the spread of ASF, but also in the differential diagnosis from CSF and PDNS. This assay should prove to be a valuable tool in the laboratory diagnosis of ASF and will complement existing molecular methods to provide rapid differential diagnosis in cases of suspected swine fever.