Orthopoxvirus detection in environmental specimens during suspected bioterror attacks: inhibitory influences of common household products.

摘要: After terrorists attacked the United States in 2001, appearance of letters and other objects containing powdery substances with unknown potentials for biological threat focused attention on speed, sensitivity, reliability diagnostic methods. This study summarizes abilities limitations real-time PCR, electron microscopy (EM), virus isolation when used to detect potential bioweapons. In particular, we investigated inhibitory influences different common household products present environmental specimens PCR yield, EM detection, isolation. We vaccinia as a model orthopoxviruses by spiking it into specimens. second part study, describe modifications methods overcome effects. A variety amplification enhancers, DNA extraction protocols, applications internal controls were evaluated improve simplicity, reliability. As result, strongly recommend using at least two frontline techniques parallel, e.g., PCR. positive result obtained any one these should be followed method confirm putative diagnosis. Confirmatory include an agent-specific immunofluorescence assay presence replication-competent particles.