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Specific subgroup B adenovirus diagnosis by PCR of the fibre gene
M S Bruzzone1, L Fuentes, E Spencer
1Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile.
Insights
A new PCR assay accurately identifies adenovirus subgroup B, a common cause of severe infant respiratory infections. This method aids in rapid diagnosis and management of pediatric respiratory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Virology
- Clinical diagnostics
Background:
- Adenovirus subgroup B strains are frequently linked to severe respiratory infections in infants and newborns.
- Accurate identification of these strains is crucial for effective clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and specific PCR assay for identifying adenovirus subgroup B strains.
- To target specific regions of the fibre gene for precise viral identification.
Main Methods:
- Development of a PCR assay using primers specific to the adenovirus fibre gene.
- Analysis of clinical nasopharyngeal aspirate samples.
- Detection and genotyping based on amplified product size via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- The PCR assay successfully detected and identified all genotypes of adenovirus subgroup B.
- A specific primer set differentiated subgroup B from subgroups C and E.
- The assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusions:
- The developed PCR assay enables routine detection and genotyping of adenovirus, specifically subgroup B.
- This assay is effective for identifying adenovirus subgroup B, including genotype 7h, a significant pathogen in infant respiratory diseases in South America.
Objective:
A highly sensitive and specific PCR assay targeting regions of the fibre gene was developed for the identification of subgroup B adenovirus strains. This is critical, since these adenovirus strains are frequently associated with severe respiratory infections in infants and new-borns.
Methods:
Clinical samples from nasopharyngeal aspirates were analysed by PCR using several sets of primers corresponding to sequences of the gene coding for the fibre protein.
Results:
The assay allowed the detection and identification of all the genotypes of adenovirus subgroup B, based on the size of the amplified product when analysed on polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis. Specifically, one set of primers was able to amplify DNA of subgroup B but not subgroup C and E viruses.
Conclusion:
The detection of adenovirus and the genotyping can be done on a routine basis by a PCR assay using the fibre gene as a target. The assay allows the identification of ADV subgroup B, including genotype 7h, which is the single most important viral pathogen associated with respiratory diseases in infants and young children in the southern part of South America.
