title: A real time PCR assay for the detection and quantification of orf virus.
abstract: A real time quantitative PCR assay based on TaqMan technology was developed for orf virus (ORFV) DNA quantification in clinical samples, infected cells and organotypic cultures. This method was based on the amplification of a 70 bp fragment from the ORFV B2L gene (orthologue of the Vaccinia virus Copenhagen F13L gene) that encodes the major envelope protein. Both intra- and inter-assay variability were well within +/-0.25 log(10) S.D. showing the high efficiency and reproducibility of the assay. The TaqMan PCR was subsequently used to determine the titre of several batches of the ORFV strain NZ-2, with it being possible to quantify virus solutions in the range of 1 x 10(1) to 1 x 10(6) TCID(50)/ml. A good correlation between the titre determined by the TaqMan PCR and by conventional endpoint dilution was found. The PCR assay is reproducible and can be used for a rapid quantification of ORFV in vitro and ex vivo, being readily achievable within 1h.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dal Pozzo
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Mc Innes
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cardeti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guercio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battilani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciulli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scagliarini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004474:Ecthyma, Contagious / Q000821:virology; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000821:virology; D009923:Orf virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D048608:Rupicapra; D012756:Sheep; D012867:Skin; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
chemical_list: D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins