50 research outputs found
Statistical correlation between enterovirus genome copy numbers and infectious viral particles in wastewater samples
Aims: Classic virological tests are time consuming and labour-intensive; realtime
RT-PCR has proven to be a fast method to detect and quantify enterovirus
genomes in clinical and environmental samples. This method is unable to
discriminate between infective and noninfective enterovirus particles; few clinical
studies have compared real-time RT-PCR and viral culture. We wondered if
the enterovirus genome quantification could be correlated to the infectivity.
Methods and Results: We used the statistical approach to verify our hypotheses
to correlate data, obtained by the standard method (most probable number of
cytopathic units—MPNCU) and molecular test (real-time RT-PCR), on wastewater
treatment plant samples. Chi-squared test was used, considering several
cut-off values (‘50’-‘100’-‘200’ genome copy numbers), to determine statistical
significance in comparison of the two methods. Chi-square value was not significant
when cut-off of 50 (P = 0Æ103) and 100 (P = 0Æ178) was assumed but
was significant with cut-off of 200 (P = 0Æ044).
Conclusion: This limit, 200 genome copy, could be used as cut-off value to
indicate enterovirus survival in environmental monitoring.
Significant and Impact of the Study: To introduce a fast procedure that is able
to compensate for disadvantages of cell culture method for viral environmental
analyses
Laparoscopic diverting colostomy in the therapeutic management of large bowel obstructions in neoplastic elderly patients
Measurement of Epstein-Barr virus DNA load using a novel quantification standard containing two EBV DNA targets and SYBR Green I dye
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may cause serious, life-threatening complications in immunocompromised individuals. EBV DNA is often detected in EBV-associated disease states, with viral load believed to be a reflection of virus activity. Two separate real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assays using SYBR Green I dye and a single quantification standard containing two EBV genes, Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and BamHI fragment H rightward open reading frame-1 (BHRF-1), were developed to detect and measure absolute EBV DNA load in patients with various EBV-associated diseases. EBV DNA loads and viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG antibody titres were also quantified on a population sample.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>EBV DNA was measurable in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. EBV DNA loads were detectable from 8.0 × 10<sup>2 </sup>to 1.3 × 10<sup>8 </sup>copies/ml in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (n = 5), 1.5 × 10<sup>3 </sup>to 2.0 × 10<sup>5 </sup>copies/ml in infectious mononucleosis (n = 7), 7.5 × 10<sup>4 </sup>to 1.1 × 10<sup>5 </sup>copies/ml in EBV-associated haemophagocytic syndrome (n = 1), 2.0 × 10<sup>2 </sup>to 5.6 × 10<sup>3 </sup>copies/ml in HIV-infected patients (n = 12), and 2.0 × 10<sup>2 </sup>to 9.1 × 10<sup>4 </sup>copies/ml in the population sample (n = 218). EBNA-1 and BHRF-1 DNA were detected in 11.0% and 21.6% of the population sample respectively. There was a modest correlation between VCA IgG antibody titre and BHRF-1 DNA load (rho = 0.13, p = 0.05) but not EBNA-1 DNA load (rho = 0.11, p = 0.11).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Two sensitive and specific real-time PCR assays using SYBR Green I dye and a single quantification standard containing two EBV DNA targets, were developed for the detection and measurement of EBV DNA load in a variety of clinical samples. These assays have application in the investigation of EBV-related illnesses in immunocompromised individuals.</p