Enzymatic RNA amplification of the enteroviruses

Enteroviruses are among the most common causes of childhood infection. Current diagnostic techniques are often too slow and too insensitive to benefit the patient optimally. This report describes a modified polymerase chain reaction technique by which enteroviral RNA can be amplified, over a few hours, to a level detectable by agarose mini-gel electrophoresis or nucleic acid hybridization or both. Three oligomeric regions of great homology among the enteroviruses were identified and designated as a potential primer pair and probe. With this combination, all 11 of the enterovirus serotypes tested, representing the major subgroups of these pathogens, were successfully amplified and detected. The sensitivity and rapidity of this new assay speak to its potential clinical applicability in the diagnosis of enterovirus infections.