title: Molecular beacon real-time PCR detection of swine viruses.
abstract: Rapid and reliable detection of viral pathogens is critical for the management of the diseases threatening the economic competitiveness of the swine farming industry worldwide. Molecular beacon assays are one type of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology capable of fast, specific, sensitive, and reliable viral detection. In this paper, the development of molecular beacon assays as novel tools for the rapid detection of Aujeszky's disease virus, African swine fever virus, porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine parvovirus is described. The assays are capable of rapidly detecting 2 x 10(1) copies of target and are linear between 2 x 10(9) and 2 x 10(2) copies. They can detect virus specifically in clinical samples such as whole blood, serum and tissue. In comparison to conventional PCR they are either as sensitive or more sensitive. As such these molecular beacon assays represent a powerful tool for the detection of these viruses in swine.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, United Kingdom. john.mckillen@afbini.gov.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKillen
authors.forename: Bernt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hjertner
authors.forename: Andrena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: McNeilly
authors.forename: Sándor
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belák
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D000358:African Swine Fever Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000818:Animals; D017925:Circovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011558:Herpesvirus 1, Suid / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D028323:Parvovirus, Porcine / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral