Simultaneous detection of enteropathogenic viruses in buffalos faeces using multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR)

• Main Authors: U. Pagnini, G. Pisanelli, S. Montagnaro, L. De Martino, S. Roperto, R. Frontoso, G. Iovane, M. Longo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2010-02-01
• Series: Italian Journal of Animal Science
• Subjects: BVDV, BCoV, Rotavirus, mRT-PCR
• Online Access: http://www.aspajournal.it/index.php/ijas/article/view/1126
• ISSN: 1594-4077; 1828-051X

A multiplex reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) assay that detects Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus, Bovine Coronavirus, and Group A Rotaviruses in infected cell-culture fluids and clinical faecal samples is described. One hundred twenty faecal samples from buffalo calves with acute gastroenteritis were tested. The mRT-PCR was validated against simplex RT-PCR with published primers for Pestivirus, Coronavirus and Rotavirus. The multiplex RT-PCR was equally sensitive and specific in detecting viral infections compared with simplex RT-PCR. The mRT-PCR readily identified viruses by discriminating the size of their amplified gene products. This mRT-PCR may be a sensitive and rapid assay for surveillance of buffalo enteric viruses in field specimens. This novel multiplex RT-PCR is an attractive technique for the rapid, specific, and cost-effective laboratory diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis.