title: A cost effective real-time PCR for the detection of adenovirus from viral swabs.
abstract: Compared to traditional testing strategies, nucleic acid amplification tests such as real-time PCR offer many advantages for the detection of human adenoviruses. However, commercial assays are expensive and cost prohibitive for many clinical laboratories. To overcome fiscal challenges, a cost effective strategy was developed using a combination of homogenization and heat treatment with an "in-house" real-time PCR. In 196 swabs submitted for adenovirus detection, this crude extraction method showed performance characteristics equivalent to viral DNA obtained from a commercial nucleic acid extraction. In addition, the in-house real-time PCR outperformed traditional testing strategies using virus culture, with sensitivities of 100% and 69.2%, respectively. Overall, the combination of homogenization and heat treatment with a sensitive in-house real-time PCR provides accurate results at a cost comparable to viral culture.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Capital District Health Authority, Room 404B, Mackenzie Building, 5788 University Ave, Halifax NS B3H 1V8, Canada.
authors.forename: Turkiya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Al-Siyabi
authors.forename: Khalifa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Binkhamis
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: Sallene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Kanti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pabbaraju
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tellier
authors.forename: Todd F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Hatchette
authors.forename: Jason J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
mesh_terms: D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*