Validation of single real-time TaqMan PCR assay for the detection and quantitation of four major genotypes of hepatitis E virus in clinical specimens.

Journal article

Since the characterization of the genome of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in 1990, a large genetic diversity has been described. A single real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay with TaqMan technology has been validated which uses only one set of primers and probe within the ORF2 HEV region (nt 5207-5292) for the detection and quantification of the four major genotypes of HEV. This assay proved to be as efficient as the conventional RT-PCR methodology for the detection of HEV in clinical samples testing positive previously. The real-time RT-PCR and conventional RT-PCR were performed comparatively on 60 pairs of sera and stools collected during a recent outbreak of hepatitis E in Darfur. The real-time RT-PCR assay was 10- to 100-fold sensitive than for conventional RT-PCR assays used in this study with a range quantitation from 1.8 x 10(1) to 7.2 x 10(3) RNA copies/microl in clinical samples (serum and stools).

Authors: Enouf, V; Dos Reis, G; Guthmann, J; Guerin, P; Caron, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of medical virology
• Volume: 78
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1076-1082
• Publication date: 2006-08-01
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.20665
• EISSN: 1096-9071
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• Language: English
• Keywords: Reproducibility of Results; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Hepatitis E virus; Hepatitis E; Humans; Genotype; Taq Polymerase; Genome, Viral