title: Variola virus-specific diagnostic assays: characterization, sensitivity, and specificity.
abstract: A public health response relies upon rapid and reliable confirmation of disease by diagnostic assays. Here, we detail the design and validation of two variola virus-specific real-time PCR assays, since previous assays cross-reacted with newly identified cowpox viruses. The assay specificity must continually be reassessed as other closely related viruses are identified.
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Ashley V
authors: AV
authors: Kondas
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Victoria A
authors: VA
authors: Olson
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Abel
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Laker
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Rose
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Kimberly
authors: K
authors: Wilkins
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Turner
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Kline
authors: National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA iad7@cdc.gov.
authors: Inger K
authors: IK
authors: Damon
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D012901:Variola virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral