title: Serotype-specific detection of African horsesickness virus by real-time PCR and the influence of genetic variations.
abstract: Real-time PCR hybridization probe sets were tested for the specific detection of amplified genome segment 2 cDNA from all nine serotypes of African horsesickness virus (AHSV). The hybridization probes were derived from the sequences of genome segments 2 of the nine reference strains of the virus and were designed to have clearly distinguishable peak melting temperatures. Viral dsRNA from each of the serotypes was specifically detected after reverse transcription, real-time PCR and melting curve analysis. The method was used to successfully serotype a range of field isolates, although most of the these showed peak melting temperature shifts. These shifts could be related to nucleotide substitutions in the regions that are targeted by the probes. Sensitivity was demonstrated to be sufficient for use with dsRNA isolated directly from infected organ samples, making it potentially useful as a rapid diagnostic tool.
authors.affiliation: Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, and Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. KoekemoerO@arc.agric.za
authors.forename: J J O
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Koekemoer
mesh_terms: D000355:African Horse Sickness / Q000821:virology*; D000356:African Horse Sickness Virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral