Detection of smallpox virus DNA by LightCycler PCR

Mark J. Espy, Franklin R. Cockerill, Richard F. Meyer, Michael D. Bowen, Gregory A. Poland, Ted L. Hadfield, Thomas F. Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 300-bp plasmid fragment of the hemagglutinin gene was used as target DNA to develop a rapid real-time LightCycler (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, Ind.) PCR assay for laboratory detection of smallpox virus. PCR primers and probes were designed specifically for detection of smallpox virus DNA, but all viruses of the genus Orthopoxvirus tested could be detected by use of the hemagglutinin gene target sequence. Base pair mismatches in the 204-bp amplicon allowed discrimination of cowpox virus (melting temperature [Tm], 56.40°C), monkeypox virus (Tm, 56.24°C), and vaccinia virus (Tm, 56.72°C), including the Dryvax vaccine strain, from smallpox virus (Tm, 62.45°C) by melting curve analysis. The analytical sensitivity was 5 to 10 copies of target DNA per sample. The assay was specific for members of the genus Orthopoxvirus; the DNAs of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus were not detected by the smallpox virus LightCycler PCR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1985-1988
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of clinical microbiology
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detection of smallpox virus DNA by LightCycler PCR'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this