Specific detection of Coxsackie viruses A by the polymerase chain reaction.
BACKGROUND
Most of the Coxsackie virus A strains are difficult to identify using traditional diagnostic methods such as virus isolation followed by neutralization with type-specific antisera. For the laboratory diagnoses of infections with Coxsackie viruses A, inoculation into newborn mice has traditional been the method of choice. However, such investigations are complicated and time-consuming.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a reverse transcriptase (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for specific detection of Coxsackie viruses A.


METHODS
A total of 43 clinical specimens containing Coxsackie viruses A, B or echoviruses were investigated retrospectively. Nineteen samples were Coxsackie virus A positive, whereas 24 samples were positive for Coxsackie viruses B or echoviruses. Thirteen non-typable specimens from eight patients were also included, since they were characterized as enterovirus-like by electron microscopy.


RESULTS
All the specimens containing Coxsackie virus A were positive with the Coxsackie virus A PCR assay. In addition, five out of eight samples characterized as enterovirus-like by electron microscopy were PCR positive. The PCR assay did not amplify Coxsackie viruses B or echoviruses identified in our laboratory.


CONCLUSIONS
The RT-PCR protocol established here should provide a useful alternative to the complicated and time-consuming diagnostic method based on live animals.
Gjøen
K V
KV
Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Bruu
A L
AL
D004279:DNA, Viral; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004279:DNA, Viral