Fast short-fragment PCR for rapid and sensitive detection of shrimp viruses

This article describes a fast short-fragment PCR method for the detection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), and monodon baculovirus (MBV). Fast two-temperature (95 degrees C denaturation and 60 degrees C annealing/extension) PCRs were performed in 5-10 microl volume samples in miniaturized microplates using a fast Peltier thermal cycler. 40 cycles were completed in 25-30 min. Rapid high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis of 70-150 bp PCR fragments was performed in 10 min. High sensitivity of PCR product detection (50-100 pg) was obtained using ultra sensitive dyes such as GelStar and a gel documentation system equipped with a blue-light transilluminator. This novel method is faster and more sensitive than its TaqMan real-time PCR counterparts.