title: Multiplex PCR assay for rapid identification of oculopathogenic adenoviruses by amplification of the fiber and hexon genes.
abstract: Eye infections caused by adenovirus (Ad) often result in nosocomial infections and community epidemics with significant rates of morbidity. No antiviral agent effective against Ad is yet available for clinical use. Therefore, early diagnosis is still the mainstay for patient management and the prevention of epidemics. A multiplex PCR assay based on amplification of a combination of the fiber and hexon genes which can identify the six important oculopathogenic serotypes of Ads (Ad serotype 3[Ad3], Ad4, Ad7, Ad8, Ad19, and Ad37) in a single-tube amplification reaction was developed. Ad serotypes could be distinguished by the different amplicon sizes. The assay correctly identified prototype strains as well as isolates in clinical specimens. In comparison with a previously described PCR-restriction fragment polymorphism method, our assay gave unequivocal results for clinical specimens. Our multiplex PCR has the potential to serve as a rapid and cost-effective tool for the typing of important ocular Ads.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
authors.forename: Urmila
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Banik
authors.forename: Arun Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Adhikary
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inada
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okabe
mesh_terms: D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; C018315:hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus