Development of a gene probe assay suitable for use in routine diagnosis: a pilot study using a DNA probe for...

Although DNA probes have been widely applied in research for many years, lengthy and complex protocols, together with the use of radio-labelled probes, have hindered their introduction into routine diagnosis. In this study conventional methods were adapted to make gene probes more suitable for routine work and a biotin-labelled probe for human parvovirus B19 was utilised. The gene probe assay was shown to detect 0.25 pg of viral DNA per 5 microliters of serum in 20 h. A comparative study was carried out to assess the difference in antigen detection by gene probe with that of the more conventional methods of counter-current immunoelectrophoresis and immune electron microscopy. The application of probes in this manner may lead to their increased use in routine virological diagnosis.