Direct diagnosis of human respiratory coronaviruses 229E and OC43 by the polymerase chain reaction.
An RT-PCR-hybridization was developed that amplified genetic material from the M protein gene of HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43. The analytic sensitivity of these original primers were compared with primers defined in the N gene and described previously. The results show that 0.05 TCID50 of HCoV-229E and 0.01 TCID50 of HCoV-OC43 can be detected by this molecular method using the original method. Detection of HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 in clinical specimens is possible using this method: 348 respiratory specimens (202 sputum and 146 nasal aspirates) were tested with this RT-PCR-hybridization and 12 human coronavirus are detected (3%). The method could provide a useful tool for demonstrating the role of human coronavirus in infections of the respiratory tract.
Vabret
A
A
Laboratory of Human and Molecular Virology, University Hopital, av. Georges Clemenceau, 14 033, Caen, France. vabret-a@chu-caen.fr
Mouthon
F
F
Mourez
T
T
Gouarin
S
S
Petitjean
J
J
Freymuth
F
F
D002460:Cell Line; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D028941:Coronavirus 229E, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D028962:Coronavirus OC43, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; C000706232:M protein, Human coronavirus OC43; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins