title: Multiplex PCR detection and species differentiation of orthopoxviruses pathogenic to humans.
abstract: A method for one-stage rapid identification of four orthopoxvirus species pathogenic to humans based on multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) was developed. Five pairs of oligonucleotide primers--one, genus-specific; and the rest, species-specific for variola, monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses, respectively--were used concurrently for MPCR assay of orthopoxvirus DNAs. Specificity and sensitivity of the method developed were evaluated using DNAs of 57 orthopoxvirus strains, including the DNAs isolated from human case clinical materials.
authors.affiliation: State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Koltsovo Novosibirsk Oblast, Koltsovo 630559, Russia. snshchel@vector.nsc.ru
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Shchelkunov
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Gavrilova
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Babkin
mesh_terms: D015608:Cowpox virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008993:Monkeypox virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018155:Orthopoxvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012901:Variola virus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral