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Specific detection of Coxsackie viruses A by the polymerase chain reaction
Background:
Most of the Coxsackie virus A strains are difficult to identify using traditional diagnostic methods such as virus isolation followed by neutralization with type-specific antisera. For the laboratory diagnoses of infections with Coxsackie viruses A, inoculation into newborn mice has traditional been the method of choice. However, such investigations are complicated and time-consuming.
Objectives:
To develop a reverse transcriptase (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for specific detection of Coxsackie viruses A.
Study Design:
A total of 43 clinical specimens containing Coxsackie viruses A, B or echoviruses were investigated retrospectively. Nineteen samples were Coxsackie virus A positive, whereas 24 samples were positive for Coxsackie viruses B or echoviruses. Thirteen non-typable specimens from eight patients were also included, since they were characterized as enterovirus-like by electron microscopy.
Results:
All the specimens containing Coxsackie virus A were positive with the Coxsackie virus A PCR assay. In addition, five out of eight samples characterized as enterovirus-like by electron microscopy were PCR positive. The PCR assay did not amplify Coxsackie viruses B or echoviruses identified in our laboratory.
Conclusion:
The RT-PCR protocol established here should provide a useful alternative to the complicated and time-consuming diagnostic method based on live animals.