Parvovirus PARV4 visualization and detection.
The parvovirus PARV4 is the most recently described member of the family Parvoviridae that has a human host. To investigate the prevalence of PARV4 in blood, a quantitative TaqMan PCR was developed and plasma, sera or whole blood from a variety of population groups were examined. Eight samples were positive for PARV4, one at high copy number. The high-titre-positive plasma had an approximate viral load of 5 x 10(8) genome equivalents ml(-1). Two human sera, identified as PARV4 antibody-positive by indirect immunofluorescence, were used in immune electron microscopy to try to visualize native PARV4 within the high-titre human plasma. PARV4 particles were observed using one of these two sera. To our knowledge, this is the first time that native PARV4 has been visualized.
Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, Virus Reference Department, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT, UK.
Philip W
PW
Tuke
Ruth P
RP
Parry
Hazel
H
Appleton
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D017992:Parvovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019562:Viral Load; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000914:Antibodies, Viral