title: Differentiation and quantitation of human herpesviruses 6A, 6B and 7 by real-time PCR.
abstract: The beta-herpesviruses cause considerable morbidity in immunocompromised individuals, such as transplant patients. Most notably within this group is human cytomegalovirus, although HHV-6 and -7 are a growing concern. Identifying HHV-6 and -7 as the cause of post-transplant illness can be challenging due to high seroprevalence and latency properties associated with these human herpesviruses. We have developed a sensitive and specific real-time PCR assay, which can differentiate reliably and quantify HHV-6A, -6B and -7. Using two sets of hybridization probes specific for HHV-6A or -6B and HHV-7, the assay reliably differentiates the three viruses using melting curve analysis. The lower limit of detection for all three viruses was determined to be ten viral genomes. This real-time PCR assay will be useful for differentiation and quantitation of HHV-6A, -6B and -7, especially for monitoring transplant patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Man., Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Safronetz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Humar
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tipples
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral