A multiplex RT-PCR method to detect papaya meleira virus complex in adult pre-flowering plants

Arch Virol. 2020 May;165(5):1211-1214. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04588-5. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Abstract

Papaya sticky disease (PSD), which can destroy orchards, was first attributed to papaya meleira virus (PMeV). However, the discovery of papaya meleira virus 2 (PMeV2) associated with PSD plants impose the need to detect this viral complex. We developed a multiplex RT-PCR (mPCR) technique capable of detecting two viruses in a single assay from pre-flowering plant samples, which is a useful tool for early diagnosis of PSD. We also determined the limit of detection (LOD) using asymmetric plasmid dilutions of both PMeV and PMeV2, which revealed that a higher titer of one virus prevents detection of the other. Thus, this technique is an alternative method for detecting PMeV and PMeV2 in a single reaction.

MeSH terms

  • Carica / virology*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Plant Diseases / virology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Totiviridae / classification
  • Totiviridae / genetics
  • Totiviridae / isolation & purification*