Partial validation of a TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR for the detection of ranaviruses

Stilwell, Natalie K., Whittington, Richard J., Hick, Paul M., Becker, Joy A., Ariel, Ellen, van Beurden, Steven, Vendramin, Niccolo, Olesen, Niels J., and Waltzek, Thomas B. (2018) Partial validation of a TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR for the detection of ranaviruses. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 128 (2). pp. 105-116.

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Abstract

Ranaviruses are globally emerging pathogens negatively impacting wild and cultured fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Although conventional and diagnostic real-time PCR (qPCR) assays have been developed to detect ranaviruses, these assays often have not been tested against the known diversity of ranaviruses. Here we report the development and partial validation of a TaqMan real-time qPCR assay. The primers and TaqMan probe targeted a conserved region of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene. A series of experiments using a 10-fold dilution series of Frog virus 3 (FV3) MCP plasmid DNA revealed linearity over a range of 7 orders of magnitude (10(7) -10(1)), a mean correlation coefficient (R-2) of >0.99, and a mean efficiency of 96%. The coefficient of variation of intra- and inter-assay variability ranged from <0.1-3.5% and from 1.1-2.3%, respectively. The analytical sensitivity was determined to be 10 plasmid copies of FV3 DNA. The qPCR assay detected a panel of 33 different ranaviral isolates originating from fish, amphibian, and reptile hosts from all continents excluding Africa and Antarctica, thereby representing the global diversity of ranaviruses. The assay did not amplify highly divergent ranaviruses, members of other iridovirus genera, or members of the alloherpesvirus genus Cyprinivirus. DNA from fish tissue homogenates previously determined to be positive or negative for the ranavirus Epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus by virus isolation demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% and a diagnostic specificity of 100%. The reported qPCR assay provides an improved expedient diagnostic tool and can be used to elucidate important aspects of ranaviral pathogenesis and epidemiology in clinically and sublinically affected fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Item ID: 53882
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1616-1580
Keywords: ranavirus, quantitative PCR, diagnostics, sensitivity, specificity
Funders: University of Florida, Missouri Department of Conservation, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Projects and Grants: USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Date Deposited: 06 Jun 2018 07:43
FoR Codes: 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300904 Veterinary diagnosis and diagnostics @ 50%
30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300914 Veterinary virology @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960401 Border Biosecurity (incl. Quarantine and Inspection) @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960406 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 50%
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