title: Detection and quantitation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in EDTA whole blood samples using automated sample preparation and real time PCR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detection and quantitation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in EDTA whole blood samples has gained significance in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the analytical and clinical performance of the artus EBV RG PCR kit in conjunction with automated sample preparation on the QIAsymphony SP instrument was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the accuracy of the new test system was tested, all results were found to be within +/-0.5 log(10) unit of the expected panel results. Determination of linearity showed a quasilinear curve over 4 log units. The lower limit of detection was determined to be 391 EBV DNA copies/mL in EDTA whole blood. The between day imprecision ranged from 18% to 66%, and the within run imprecision ranged from 11% to 50%. When clinical samples were tested and the results compared with those obtained with the routinely used easyMAG sample preparation and EBV R-gene test system, 60 samples tested positive and 31 samples tested negative by both assays. Nineteen samples were found to be positive using the QIAsymphony sample preparation and artus EBV RG PCR test system only, and no samples tested positive with the routinely used test system only.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QIAsymphony sample preparation and artus EBV RG PCR test system is suitable for the detection and quantitation of EBV DNA in EDTA whole blood in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Reinhard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Raggam
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozic
authors.forename: Birgit D A
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammerschmidt
authors.forename: Cordula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Homberg
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D004492:Edetic Acid