title: Rapid detection of enterovirus 71 by real-time TaqMan RT-PCR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the main etiological agent of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and has been associated with neurological complications which resulted in fatalities during recent outbreaks in Asia Pacific region.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Develop a real-time TaqMan RT-PCR for rapid detection of EV71.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specific primers and probe were designed based on highly conserved VP1 region of EV71. The sensitivity of the real-time RT-PCR was evaluated with 67 clinical specimens collected from pediatric patients with suspected HFMD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our real-time TaqMan RT-PCR showed 100% specificity in detecting EV71 and showed an analytical sensitivity of 5 viral copies. High sensitivity was also achieved in detecting EV71 directly from clinical specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real-time TaqMan RT-PCR offers a rapid and sensitive method to detect EV71 from clinical specimens, and will allow quarantine measures to be taken more effectively during outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore.
authors.forename: Eng Lee
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Li Li Gaynor
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Seng Hock
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Quak
authors.forename: Wei Cheng Andrea
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.forename: Vincent Tak Kwong
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Chit Laa
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Poh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D029821:Enterovirus A, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006232:Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019914:Taq Polymerase; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral; D019914:Taq Polymerase