Development of three multiplex RT-PCR assays for the detection of 12 respiratory RNA viruses

J Virol Methods. 2005 Jun;126(1-2):53-63. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2005.01.020.

Abstract

Three multiplex hemi-nested RT-PCR assays were developed to detect simultaneously 12 RNA respiratory viruses: influenza viruses A, B and C, human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), parainfluenza virus types 1-4 (PIV-1, -2, -3 and -4), human coronavirus OC43 and 229E (HCoV) and rhinovirus (hRV). An internal amplification control was included in one of the RT-PCR assays. The RT-PCR multiplex 1 and the hemi-nested multiplex 1 detected 1 and 0.1 TCID50 of RSV A, respectively, and 0.01 and 0.001 TCID50 of influenza virus A/H3N2, respectively. Two hundred and three nasal aspirates from hospitalised children were retrospectively tested in comparison with two conventional methods: direct immunofluorescence assay and viral isolation technique. Almost all samples (89/91) that were positive by immunofluorescence assay and/or viral isolation technique were detected by the multiplex assay. This method also detected an additional 85 viruses and 33 co-infections. The overall sensitivity (98%), rapidity and enhanced efficiency of these multiplex hemi-nested RT-PCR assays suggest that they would be a significant improvement over conventional methods for the detection of a broad spectrum of respiratory viruses.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Coronavirus 229E, Human / genetics
  • Coronavirus 229E, Human / isolation & purification
  • Coronavirus OC43, Human / genetics
  • Coronavirus OC43, Human / isolation & purification
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gammainfluenzavirus / genetics
  • Gammainfluenzavirus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
  • Influenza B virus / genetics
  • Influenza B virus / isolation & purification
  • Metapneumovirus / genetics
  • Metapneumovirus / isolation & purification
  • Nasal Cavity / virology
  • Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / genetics
  • Parainfluenza Virus 1, Human / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human / genetics
  • Parainfluenza Virus 2, Human / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / genetics
  • Parainfluenza Virus 3, Human / isolation & purification
  • Parainfluenza Virus 4, Human / genetics
  • Parainfluenza Virus 4, Human / isolation & purification
  • Quality Control
  • RNA Viruses / genetics
  • RNA Viruses / isolation & purification*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis*
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / genetics
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / isolation & purification
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / virology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards
  • Rhinovirus / genetics
  • Rhinovirus / isolation & purification
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Virus Cultivation

Substances

  • RNA, Viral