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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, January 1998, p. 68-72, Vol. 36, No. 1
Surveillance, Influenza and Viral
Exanthemata, Bureau of Microbiology, Laboratory Centre for Disease
Control, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2, Canada
Received 12 May 1997/Returned for modification 27 August
1997/Accepted 20 October 1997
PCR was performed on DNA extracts derived from clinical serum
samples submitted for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) serological examination. To detect amplified HHV-6 products, a hybridization-based microtiter plate assay (PCR ELISA; Boehringer Mannheim) was used. The
assay system was found to be rapid, specific, and sensitive. Approximately three copies of a plasmid-based HHV-6 sequence could be
detected, and no cross amplification was observed with HHV-7 genomic
DNA. There was no correlation found between HHV-6 DNA detection and
serological status in clinical serum samples from individuals more than
2 years old. On the other hand, in serum samples from infants less than
2 years old, a high rate of detection of HHV-6 DNA was observed in
those who lacked immunoglobulin G and M antibodies to HHV-6 (55%). In
this regard, PCR of serum DNA extracts may be used as a sensitive
indicator of active HHV-6 infection in infants prior to their
seroconversion.
0095-1137/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Detection of Human Herpesvirus 6 DNA in Serum by a
Microplate PCR-Hybridization Assay

*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Health Canada,
Bureau of Microbiology, Virus Laboratory, Building No. 10, Postal
Locator 1001C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2, Canada.
Phone: (613) 941-1465. Fax: (613) 954-0207. E-mail:
carla_osiowy{at}inet.hwc.ca.
Present address: HIV Reference Services Laboratory, Bureau of
HIV/AIDS and STDs, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2, Canada.
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