Development and optimization of a PCR assay for detection of Dobrava and Puumala hantaviruses in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lejla Smajlović, Jon Davoren, Paul Heyman, Christel Cochez, Cordula Haas, Caroline Maake, Mirsada Hukić

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Hantavirus-specific serology tests are the main diagnostic technique for detection of hantavirus infection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In order to enhance hantavirus infections monitoring a sensitive PCR based assay was developed to detect Dobrava (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) hantaviruses. Nested primer sets were designed within three different regions of the viral RNA (S and M segment of DOBV and M segment of PUUV) based on highly similar regions from a number of different European hantavirus strains. Assay conditions were optimized using cell cultures infected with DOBV Slovenia, PUUV Sotkamo and PUUV CG 18-20. This sensitive and specific assay has proven to be useful for detection of both Puumala and Dobrava hantaviruses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-42
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Virological Methods
Volume182
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012

Keywords

  • Dobrava
  • Hantavirus
  • PCR optimization
  • Primers
  • Puumala

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