Development of a one step real-time RT-PCR method for sensitive detection of human astrovirus

Human astrovirus (HAstV) has been recognized as the second most common cause of diarrhoea among children under 5 years old. To date, the true incidence of HAstV was underestimated when using enzyme immunoabsorbent assays (EIAs) and conventional reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The sensitivity of detection of EIA is insufficient and, although RT-PCR is more sensitive than EIA, the time required is a limitation for astrovirus detection. The aim of the study was to develop a real-time RT-PCR method in order to increase the sensitivity, to quantify the viral load and to minimize the time required for HAstV detection. The real-time RT-PCR reported here requires only one rapid step to obtain a high sensitivity (0.0052 infectious units (IU) (0.0026 IU/microl)) in all human astrovirus detected. The real-time RT-PCR detected IUs down to a 10(-6) dilution with an improvement in the detection limit of factor 10(4), whereas the conventional RT-PCR detected down to IUs 10(-2) dilution. This process is able to reduce the time of the assay and avoids the risk of contamination. The method described below has been validated with a panel of 100 clinical samples and the results obtained confirmed the high specificity of the assay; consequently, the application of this assay for molecular diagnosis is feasible as a versatile tool for ascertaining the true implication of HAstV in acute viral gastroenteritis.