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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Published on: November 10, 2023
Sensitivity Evaluation of a Modified Real-Time Reverse-Transcription PCR Primer to Detect a Measles Virus Variant in
Takako Kurata1, Daiki Kanbayashi1, Atsushi Kaida1
1Division of Microbiology, Osaka Institute of Public Health, Japan.
Abstract:
A measles outbreak occurred in Japan in February 2024 due to a measles virus variant imported from central Asian countries with three mismatches at the PCR reverse primer (MVN1213R) annealing site. To examine and improve the effectiveness of real-time PCR for detecting this variant, we compared the sensitivity of real-time PCR for MVN1213R and a modified primer using control RNAs, clinical isolates, and clinical specimens. The median difference in the cycle threshold value using the modified primer was 2.92 cycles lower (interquartile range, 1.99-3.38) than when using MVN1213R. Thus, PCR primer sets should be modified to effectively detect measles virus mutations.
