A nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assay for real-time detection of norovirus genogroup II

AIMS: To use molecular beacon based nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) to develop a rapid, sensitive, specific detection method for norovirus (NV) genogroupII (GII). METHODS AND RESULTS: A method to detect NV GII from environmental samples using real-time NASBA was developed. This method was routinely sensitive to 100 copies of target RNA and intermittent amplification occurred with as few as 10 copies. Quantitative estimates of viral load were possible over at least four orders of magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: The NASBA method described here is a reliable and sensitive assay for the detection of NV. This method has the potential to be linked to a handheld NASBA device that would make this real-time assay a portable and inexpensive alternative to bench-top, lab-based assays. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The development of the real-time NASBA assay described here has resulted in a simple, rapid (<1 h), convenient testing format for NV. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a molecular beacon based NASBA assay for NV.     

A comparison of RT-PCR-based assays for the detection of HAV from shellfish

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of viral infection linked to shellfish consumption. The lack of correlation between the fecal coliform indicators and the presence of enteric viruses in shellfish and their harvesting waters points to the need for molecular methods to detect viruses. We compared two RT-PCR based techniques currently available for the detection of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) in shellfish. Both approaches involve extraction of viral particles by glycine buffer and concentration of virus particles by one or two PEG precipitation steps. One procedure involves as RNA extraction method the use of oligo (dT) cellulose to select poly (A) RNA, and the other uses a system in which total RNA is bound on silica membrane. Comparison of the two RT-PCR based methods highlighted the efficiency of the first approach which is less time-consuming and technically demanding than the second.     

琯溪蜜柚汁胞RNA提取方法的比较

比较了3种从琯溪蜜柚汁胞中提取RNA的方法,通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳及紫外分光光度计检测,对提取所得RNA的完整性、纯度及浓度进行分析。试验结果表明,Trizol法适合琯溪蜜柚汁胞RNA的提取,能有效获得纯度高、完整性好的RNA样品,而且Trizol法步骤简单,RNA得率与质量均较高。通过RT-PCR检验表明该RNA适于后续分子生物学操作。     

Evaluation of nine sets of PCR primers in the RNA dependent RNA polymerase region for detection and differentiation of members of the family Caliciviridae, Norwalk virus and Sapporo virus

Norwalk virus and Sapporo virus were approved as type species of the genus "Norwalk-like viruses" and the genus "Sapporo-like viruses," respectively, in the family Caliciviridae. A total of 116 stool specimens containing Norwalk virus (NV) or Sapporo virus (SV) were tested by RT-PCR and Southern hybridization to evaluate nine sets of PCR primers and seven internal oligonucleotide probes in the RNA dependent RNA polymerase region of NV and SV for detection and differentiation of viruses in the NV and SV. Fifty-five stool samples were collected from 11 outbreaks of NV and/or SV gastroenteritis in an infant home, where residents were infants under 2 years of age, in Sapporo, Japan. Sixty specimens were obtained in Sapporo from sporadic cases in children, mainly under 6 years of age, of acute gastroenteritis due to small round structured viruses detected by EM. There is no single primer pair to detect all NV and SV, and at least three primer pairs, G1 set, G2 set and Sapp35/Sapp36, are required to detect viruses in the NV and SV clades. Many NV and SV strains were successfully classified into one of the NV/genogroup I, NV/genogroup II and SV by single-round RT-PCR and Southern hybridization. The new detection method for SV reported in this study combined with those for NV previously reported may elucidate the importance of Norwalk virus and Sapporo virus as a cause of viral gastroenteritis in all age groups in the world.     

两种核酸提取方法对小鼠诺如病毒RNA提取效能的比较

目的比较两种核酸提取方法对小鼠诺如病毒RNA的提取效能。方法用Trizol提取法和QIAamp Vira lRNA Min iKit提取法分别提取感染小鼠诺如病毒（Murine Norovirus,MNV）的小鼠小肠组织样品RNA和细胞培养物RNA,测定RNA浓度;用MNV特异的引物对分离的核酸样品进行一步法RT—PCR扩增。结果Trizol提取法提取小肠组织的RNA浓度高于QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit提取法;QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit提取得到的细胞培养物RNA浓度高于Trizol提取法。经QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit提取的两种核酸样品均能扩增出特异条带,而Trizol提取的核酸样品未见特异条带。结论在MNV的检测中,QIAampViralRNAKit更适合组织样品中MNV病毒核酸的提取。     

A molecular method for the recovery and identification of enteric virus in shellfish

In this paper we report the results of an investigation into the presence of enteric viruses in shellfish from the waters around Sardinia. Twenty two samples of shellfish were examined using a rapid and sensitive technique to concentrate and detect viral RNA in shellfish tissues. After recovery of viral particles, RNA was extracted, transcribed into cDNA and amplified using "nested PCR". Testing with enterovirus-specific RT-PCR produced positive results in over 13% of specimens. The virus detection procedure appears to be effective. In some circumstances it could be a better test of water quality than conventional monitoring techniques.     

基于功能化磁珠快速提取植物病毒RNA方法的建立与优化

植物病毒病是制约作物生产的主要病害之一。及时明确其病毒病原和发展规律是有效控制其大规模传播的前提。而现有植物病毒病检测技术存在周期长、步骤繁琐、检测环境严苛等缺点。本研究以烟草花叶病毒 (Tobacco mosaic virus,TMV)为模型,基于碱基互补配对原则设计针对TMV的功能化磁珠（CMBs-ACPTMV）进行RNA提取,并对功能化磁珠的制备条件、提取反应条件以及灵敏性和稳定性等性能进行优化分析。结果表明,当添加4 μmol捕获探针（ACPTMV）、0.08 mg羧基磁珠（CMBs）时,所制备的CMBs-ACPTMV吸附RNA的能力最好;当提取时间为3 min时,CMBs-ACPTMV提取RNA的效果最好,而改变CMBs-ACPTMV的提取温度时其提取能力无明显变化;性能评价分析发现,CMBs-ACPTMV的灵敏度可达2.5 ng/μL,且检测稳定性较好。与常规RNA提取技术相比,CMBs-ACPTMV在检测时间和样品消耗量上具有突出优势。本研究所建立的功能化磁珠提取法快速、安全和简便,只需简易设备便可实现植物病毒RNA的快速提取,具有广阔的应用前景。     

Detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus by AmpliDet RNA,a new technology based on real time monitoring of NASBA amplicons with a molecular beacon

AIMS: To develop a procedure for direct detection of viable cells of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (Cms), the causal organism of bacterial ring rot in potato, based on AmpliDet RNA, in which amplicons generated by nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) are monitored in real time with a molecular beacon. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five methods were evaluated and fine-tuned for extraction of RNA from Cms. The most efficient non-commercial RNA extraction method included an enzymatic breakdown of the cell wall followed by a phenol extraction. AmpliDet RNA enabled detection of 10,000 molecules of purified rRNA per reaction and 100 cfu of Cms per reaction in more complex samples. Two primer pairs were tested with DNA and RNA purified from Cms. One primer pair was able to distinguish live from dead cells. CONCLUSIONS: An AmpliDet RNA was developed which enabled fast and specific detection of viable cells of Cms in complex substrates at a detection limit of 100 cfu per reaction. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This novel AmpliDet RNA is carried out in sealed tubes, thus reducing the risk of carry-over contamination. The method will be particularly suitable for studies on the epidemiology of Cms in which viable cells should be exclusively detected.     

Concentration and detection of hepatitis A virus and rotavirus from shellfish by hybridization tests.

A modified polyethylene glycol precipitation method for concentration of virus followed by a new method to recover nucleic acid was used to detect hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (SA11) in shellfish (oysters and hard-shell clams) by hybridization tests. Infectious virus, seeded into relatively large quantities of shellfish, was recovered consistently, with greater than 90% efficiency as measured by either in situ hybridization (HAV) or plaque assay (rotavirus SA11). Viral nucleic acid for dot blot hybridization assays was extracted and purified from virus-containing polyethylene glycol concentrates. Separation of shellfish polysaccharides from nucleic acid was necessary before viral RNA could be detected by dot blot hybridization. Removal of shellfish polysaccharides was accomplished by using the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Use of CTAB reduced background interference with hybridization signals, which resulted in increased hybridization test sensitivity. After polysaccharide removal, dot blot hybridization assays could detect approximately 10(6) physical particles (corresponding to approximately 10(3) infectious particles) of HAV and 10(4) PFU of SA11 rotavirus present in 20-g samples of oyster and clam meats. These studies show continuing promise for the development of uniform methods to directly detect human viral pathogens in different types of shellfish. However, practical applications of such methods to detect noncultivatable human viral pathogens of public health interest will require additional improvements in test sensitivity.     

Concentration and detection of hepatitis A virus and rotavirus from shellfish by hybridization tests.

A modified polyethylene glycol precipitation method for concentration of virus followed by a new method to recover nucleic acid was used to detect hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus (SA11) in shellfish (oysters and hard-shell clams) by hybridization tests. Infectious virus, seeded into relatively large quantities of shellfish, was recovered consistently, with greater than 90% efficiency as measured by either in situ hybridization (HAV) or plaque assay (rotavirus SA11). Viral nucleic acid for dot blot hybridization assays was extracted and purified from virus-containing polyethylene glycol concentrates. Separation of shellfish polysaccharides from nucleic acid was necessary before viral RNA could be detected by dot blot hybridization. Removal of shellfish polysaccharides was accomplished by using the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Use of CTAB reduced background interference with hybridization signals, which resulted in increased hybridization test sensitivity. After polysaccharide removal, dot blot hybridization assays could detect approximately 10(6) physical particles (corresponding to approximately 10(3) infectious particles) of HAV and 10(4) PFU of SA11 rotavirus present in 20-g samples of oyster and clam meats. These studies show continuing promise for the development of uniform methods to directly detect human viral pathogens in different types of shellfish. However, practical applications of such methods to detect noncultivatable human viral pathogens of public health interest will require additional improvements in test sensitivity.