Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Direct RT-PCR from serum enables fast and cost-effective phylogenetic analysis of bovine viral diarrhoea virus.
- Journal:
- Journal of virological methods
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Bachofen, Claudia et al.
- Affiliation:
- Moredun Research Institute · United Kingdom
Plain-English summary
Researchers have developed a new method to quickly and affordably analyze samples from cattle infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). This technique uses a special test called direct RT-PCR, which can work with very small amounts of blood serum or plasma. In a study of 93 samples, only five did not provide complete information, but those were later successfully analyzed using a different method. This new approach not only speeds up the testing process and cuts costs but also reduces the risk of contamination. Overall, it shows promise for improving research on diseases in both animals and humans.
Abstract
Studies of the molecular epidemiology of viral diseases are dependent on the analysis of large numbers of samples from infected individuals, and the assembly of relevant sequence databases are a prerequisite to investigate chains of infection. As part of research in support of the Scottish BVDV eradication campaign, we have established a direct RT-PCR method for the high throughput amplification and analysis of the informative 5'-untranslated region of the BVDV genome. Heat-treatment followed by a one-step RT-PCR, performed in 96-well plates, produced sufficient material for sequence analysis from 0.5 μl of serum or plasma. Of 93 samples assayed, only five failed to give full sequence data for the region amplified and these were subsequently successfully analysed in single tube format reactions. This approach improved the speed of analysis, reduced costs, operator time and the potential for contamination, and may allow analysis of samples for which volumes are too low for conventional RNA isolation. It also has the potential for wider application in both human and animal disease research in which high throughput and low cost would increase the size of datasets that can be obtained.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23541784/