Detection of Astroviruses from Stool Samples in Japan Using Reverse Transcription and Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification

Abstract

We developed a reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for detecting astrovirus serotypes 1,2,3, 5, 6 and 7 (but not serotype 4). Furthermore, we developed the spe-cific primers for detecting serotypes 1 and 2, the most predominant serotypes in the world. Sensitivity of the first PCR with serotype common primers was about 10 times higher than that of enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibody (EIA-MAb). Sensitivity of the second PCR with the serotype-specific primers was even higher. The RT-PCR method was useful for detecting astroviruses from clinical samples, especially serotypes 1 and 2. © 1995, Center For Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.