Identification and differentiation of the nine African horse sickness virus serotypes by RT-PCR amplification of the serotype-specific genome segment 2

J Gen Virol. 2000 Mar;81(Pt 3):831-7. doi: 10.1099/0022-1317-81-3-831.

Abstract

This paper describes the first RT-PCR for discrimination of the nine African horse sickness virus (AHSV) serotypes. Nine pairs of primers were designed, each being specific for one AHSV serotype. The RT-PCR was sensitive and specific, providing serotyping within 24 h. Perfect agreement was recorded between the RT-PCR and virus neutralization for a coded panel of 56 AHSV reference strains and field isolates. Serotyping was achieved successfully with live and formalin-inactivated AHSVs, with isolates of virus after low and high passage through either tissue culture or suckling mouse brain, with viruses isolated from widely separated geographical areas and with viruses isolated up to 37 years apart. Overall, this RT-PCR provides a rapid and reliable method for the identification and differentiation of the nine AHSV serotypes, which is vital at the start of an outbreak to enable the early selection of a vaccine to control the spread of disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
  • African Horse Sickness / virology
  • African Horse Sickness Virus / classification*
  • African Horse Sickness Virus / genetics*
  • African Horse Sickness Virus / immunology
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Horses
  • Mice
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serotyping / methods*
  • Serotyping / statistics & numerical data
  • Viral Vaccines / isolation & purification

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Viral Vaccines