Investigation article published in Research in Veterinary Science

April 1^st, 2009

A highly sensitive and specific TaqMan-MGB real-time RT-PCR assay has been developed and standardised for the detection of African horse sickness virus (AHSV). Primers and MGB probe specific for AHSV were selected within a highly conserved region of genome segment 7. The robustness and general application of the diagnostic method were verified by the detection of 12 AHSV isolates from all of the nine serotypes. The analytical sensitivity ranged from 0.001 to 0.15 TCID(50) per reaction, depending on the viral serotype. Real-time PCR performance was preliminarily assessed by analysing a panel of field equine samples. The same primer pair was used to standardise a conventional RT-PCR as an affordable, useful and simple alternative method in laboratories without access to real-time PCR instruments. The two techniques present novel tools to improve the molecular diagnosis of African horse sickness (AHS)

Fernandez J., Fernandez-Pacheco P., Rodriguez B., Sotelo E., Robles A., Arias M. and Sanchez-Vizcaino JM..

Rapid and sensitive detection of African horse sickness virus by real-time PCR

Rapid and sensitive detection of African horse sickness virus by real-time PCR

	Servicio de Inmunología Viral y Medicina Preventiva (SUAT). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA). Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA). Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.