qPCR assay for the detection of pseudocowpox virus

Arch Virol. 2021 Jan;166(1):243-247. doi: 10.1007/s00705-020-04872-4. Epub 2020 Nov 7.

Abstract

Pseudocowpox is a zoonosis caused by pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), which mainly affects cows but can be an occupational disease of humans. The aim of the study was to validate a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for the detection of PCPV. The assay was able to detect up to 1000 copies of PCPV per µL in field samples, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 100%. We did not observe any cross-reactivity between PCPV-positive samples and samples that were positive for other genetically similar viruses. The repeatability and reproducibility were adequate according to parameters preestablished in official test validation manuals.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / virology
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Poxviridae Infections / veterinary
  • Poxviridae Infections / virology*
  • Pseudocowpox Virus / genetics*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Zoonoses / virology