title: Development and optimization of a PCR assay for detection of Dobrava and Puumala hantaviruses in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
abstract: Hantavirus-specific serology tests are the main diagnostic technique for detection of hantavirus infection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to enhance hantavirus infections monitoring a sensitive PCR based assay was developed to detect Dobrava (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) hantaviruses. Nested primer sets were designed within three different regions of the viral RNA (S and M segment of DOBV and M segment of PUUV) based on highly similar regions from a number of different European hantavirus strains. Assay conditions were optimized using cell cultures infected with DOBV Slovenia, PUUV Sotkamo and PUUV CG 18-20. This sensitive and specific assay has proven to be useful for detection of both Puumala and Dobrava hantaviruses.
authors.affiliation: International Commission on Missing Persons, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. lejla.smajlovic@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lejla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smajlović
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davoren
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cochez
authors.forename: Cordula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maake
authors.forename: Mirsada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hukić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D006476:Orthohantavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018778:Hantavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D029262:Puumala virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014709:Vero Cells; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral