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Diagnostic tools for Toscana virus infection
Maria Grazia Cusi1, Gianni Gori Savellini
1Department of Biotechology, University of Siena, Policlinico 'S. Maria delle Scotte', V.le Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. cusi@unisi.it
Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|August 4, 2011
Summary
Toscana virus (TOSV) meningitis can be diagnosed using a new, sensitive real-time PCR assay. This molecular method is ideal for detecting TOSV in cerebrospinal fluid during the acute infection phase.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Toscana virus (TOSV) causes meningitis and meningoencephalitis in Mediterranean regions.
- Traditional diagnostic methods like ELISA and immunofluorescence are not influenced by virus viability.
- Nucleic acid amplification techniques are preferred for acute phase diagnosis from cerebrospinal fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive real-time PCR assay for TOSV diagnosis.
- To enable rapid and accurate detection of both autochthonous and imported TOSV infections.
- To address the emergence of a new TOSV lineage in Spain.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of a sensitive real-time PCR assay.
- Utilized cerebrospinal fluid samples for molecular diagnosis.
- Compared real-time PCR with traditional diagnostic methods.
Main Results:
- The developed real-time PCR assay is sensitive and rapid.
- This molecular method is not influenced by virus viability, unlike cell culture.
- RNA integrity is critical for successful molecular diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- A sensitive real-time PCR assay is crucial for diagnosing TOSV infections.
- This method offers advantages over traditional techniques for acute phase diagnosis.
- The assay is valuable for detecting TOSV, including new divergent lineages.
