Comprehensive PCR-based assay for detection and species identification of human herpesviruses.

ABSTRACT: The description and evaluation of a PCR-based assay for the detection and species identification of the eight known human herpesviruses are presented. Two primer pairs targeting well-conserved regions of the genome allowed the amplification of the DNAs of all known human herpesviruses at a high level of sensitivity (10 to 100 genome copies for most viruses). Identification of the virus species was achieved through restriction enzyme digestion with BamHI and BstUI, which yielded fragment sizes that were characteristic for each herpesvirus. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that this restriction enzyme panel allowed the discrimination between human herpesvirus 6 variant A and variant B. This assay format was validated over the course of 1 year in a clinical virology laboratory setting, where

SUBMITTER: Johnson G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC87373 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature