Development of a novel TaqMan real-time PCR assay for detecting rubella virus RNA

Although the number of cases of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome has decreased recently in Japan, both are still important health problems. To control rubella infection, a rapid and reliable method for diagnosis of rubella is required as soon as possible. Direct detection of the viral genome in clinical samples is viewed as crucial for laboratory diagnosis. In this study, a novel diagnostic method for rubella virus, based on a fluorogenic real-time PCR (TaqMan) assay, was developed, and its sensitivity for various virus strains was compared with that of a conventional RT-PCR. The new assay allowed more rapid and sensitive detection of the virus than did the conventional RT-PCR, and could detect at least 10 pfu of the native strains in Japan (1a, 1D, 1j).