Reverse transcriptase PCR diagnostic assay for the coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

ABSTRACT: Recent outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have spurred intense research efforts around the world to deal with the serious threat to health posed by this novel coronavirus. A rapid, reliable diagnostic assay is needed for monitoring the spread of the disease. Here we report a method for eliminating false-negative results and increasing test sensitivity, based on the hypothesis that the message encoded by the nucleocapsid (N) gene is the most abundant during viral infection. Nasopharyngeal aspirates and stool samples were obtained from suspected SARS patients with major clinical symptoms and a significant history of close contact with infected patients. Total RNAs were extracted in a 96-well format, together with pig kidney epithelial (PK-15) cells as an internal control f

SUBMITTER: Hui RK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC404607 | biostudies-literature | 2004 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature