ARS | Publication request: RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS USING A REAL-TIME REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE PCR ASSAY

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 2003
Publication Date: July 19, 2003
Citation: Wise, M., Spackman, E., King, D.J., Suarez, D.L., Seal, B.S. 2003. Rapid diagnosis of newcastle disease virus using a real-time reverse transcriptase pcr assay. American Association of Avian Pathologists.

Technical Abstract: Newcastle disease virus (NDV), also known as avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1), is responsible for one of the most devastating diseases of poultry. Despite the fact that live and inactivated vaccines are widely used the virus remains a potent threat to commercial flocks. Thus rapid diagnosis of NDV in suspected birds would be highly useful in managing an outbreak situation. To this end we have developed a rapid diagnostic assay based on a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. The assay targets a conserved region of the matrix gene and utilizes a one-step RT-PCR protocol with fluorogenic hydrolysis (TaqmanTM) type probes. A primer/probe set designed to detect all NDVs has been shown to be specific for a broad range isolates, and will not detect other APMV serotypes. A second primer/probe combination, directed toward the phylogenetic group to which the common lentogenic U.S. vaccine strains belong, allows for the differentiation of these strains from the virulent exotic NDV isolates.