title: Characterization of virus isolates by particle-associated nucleic acid PCR.
abstract: Diagnostic virus isolation is still frequently used, particularly from respiratory tract secretions. Testing positive virus cultures for all possible viruses is time-consuming, and unexpected or unknown viruses may escape detection. Therefore, a novel random PCR approach was developed that allows sequence-independent amplification of viral nucleic acids from virus isolation-positive cultures. Selectivity for viral sequences is obtained by preferential isolation of nucleic acids that are particle associated and resistant to nucleases. Using primers with a degenerated 3' end, the isolated nucleic acids are amplified and the randomly amplified PCR products are cloned and sequenced. As proof of the concept, the PAN-PCR approach was applied to supernatants of coxsackievirus B3 and murine adenovirus type 1-infected cells. Enterovirus and adenovirus sequences were obtained, demonstrating that the random PCR approach allows detection of RNA and DNA viruses. As a first application of this PAN-PCR approach, we characterized a virus isolate from mouth-washing material of a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome and high antibody titers to coxsackievirus B2. The virus isolate had tested negative for enteroviruses and respiratory viruses (influenza viruses A and B, parainfluenza virus types 1 to 3, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus) by immunofluorescence and PCR. Particle-associated, nuclease-resistant RNA and DNA were prepared from the supernatant of infected cells. The DNA and the reverse-transcribed RNA were randomly amplified, and PCR products were cloned and sequenced. Of 25 sequences obtained from the DNA preparation, 24 contained herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) sequences from 14 different loci spread over the HSV-1 genome. This result was confirmed by using a standard diagnostic HSV-PCR, demonstrating that the PAN-PCR correctly identified the virus isolate. Although the identification of HSV-1 in mouth-washing material is not surprising in retrospect, it clearly demonstrates the applicability of the PAN-PCR approach. This method should be particularly useful for characterizing virus isolates that have tested negative for all expected viruses and for identifying unknown viruses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr University Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stang
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korn
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wildner
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uberla
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014709:Vero Cells; D014771:Virion / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D014780:Viruses / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral