Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based techniques allow for highly sensitive and specific detection of RNA viruses. Detection of the amplification products can be achieved using several methods. The following are descriptions of the detection of ebolavirus RNA using end-point RT-PCR (agarose gel visualization of amplification products) and quantitative RT-PCR (Q-RT-PCR), with fluorescent detection using an intercalating dye or detection with the use of 5' hydrolysis probe assays. All of these techniques can be used to accurately detect the presence of ebolavirus in samples.
Keywords: Agarose gel electrophoresis; Diagnostics; Inactivation; Intercalating dye; Q-RT-PCR; RT-PCR.