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Published on: May 24, 2020
GC content-based pan-pox universal PCR assays for poxvirus detection
Yu Li1, Hermann Meyer, Hui Zhao
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. yli1@cdc.gov
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|November 13, 2009
Summary
New PCR assays identify chordopoxviruses by genome GC content, aiding diagnosis of vertebrate poxvirus infections. These pan-pox assays are accessible tools for global laboratories.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Chordopoxviruses (family Poxviridae, subfamily Chordopoxvirinae) infect vertebrates and exhibit conserved gene order.
- Chordopoxvirus genomes display two distinct GC content types: high (>60%) and low (<40%).
- Avipoxvirus genus was excluded due to significant gene cluster rearrangements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop broadly applicable PCR assays for chordopoxvirus identification.
- To differentiate chordopoxviruses based on their distinct genome GC content.
- To facilitate rapid screening and diagnosis of poxvirus infections in humans and animals.
Main Methods:
- Development of two standard PCR assays targeting low and high GC content chordopoxviruses.
- Exclusion of the Avipoxvirus genus during assay design.
- Testing assays on over 150 isolates and strains, including clinical samples.
Main Results:
- The developed pan-pox assays successfully amplified DNA from seven targeted chordopoxvirus genera.
- Assays also identified four unclassified poxvirus species.
- The assays demonstrated effectiveness across a wide range of viral isolates and clinical materials.
Conclusions:
- The pan-pox PCR assays provide a significant advancement for screening and diagnosing poxvirus infections.
- These assays are valuable tools for identifying diverse chordopoxviruses.
- The accessible technology supports global laboratory diagnostics for poxvirus diseases.
