Rapid and accurate identification of poliovirus strains used for vaccine production

In the context of eradication of poliomyelitis the World Health Organization stimulates the development of inactivated polio vaccines based on attenuated virus strains. In addition to vaccine development, tests have to be designed to assess the vaccine quality. An important test is the identification test for poliovirus strains that are used for the vaccine production. A rapid and accurate PCR method with fluorescent probes has been developed to identify unequivocally the vaccine-specific poliovirus strains, such as Mahoney, MEF-1, Saukett H, Sabin type 1, Sabin type 2 and Sabin type 3.