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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, February 2006, p. 487-494, Vol. 44, No. 2
0095-1137/06/$08.00+0 doi:10.1128/JCM.44.2.487-494.2006
Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.
INSERM U404, F-69365, Lyon, France,1 Université Claude Bernard Lyon, IFR128 BioScience Lyon-Gerland, F-69365 Lyon, France,2 Centre National de Référence pour la Rougeole, Lyon, France,3 National Institut of Health, National Reference Laboratory for Measles, Rabat, Morocco,4 Direction d'épidémiologie et de lutte contre les maladies, service de la surveillance épidémiologique, Rabat, Morocco,5 Laboratoire de Virologie Humaine et Moléculaire, Hôpital Universitaire, Caen, France6
Received 1 June 2005/ Returned for modification 23 October 2005/ Accepted 3 November 2005
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The WHO recommends the genotyping of representative strains in every outbreak. This is essentially performed by nucleotidic sequencing of genomic fragments followed by phylogenetic analysis. Although this method is the "gold standard" and allows direct classification, it is time-consuming and expensive and does not allow rapid analysis of numerous samples. Alternative methods have been described, such as restriction fragment length polymorphism and nucleotide-specific multiplex PCR to differentiate MV strains (11, 18). These methods rely on gel electrophoreses analysis that can lead to ambiguous interpretations. Samuel et al. (17) developed a method based on a modification of the amplification refractory mutation system, which was limited to a single genotype and needed a post-PCR enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis, which is time-consuming.
In this study, a method for genotyping measles virus was performed by real-time amplification refractory mutation system (RT-ARMS) PCR using SYBR green fluorescent dye. The method uses genotype-specific primers to specifically amplify MV genotypes. This novel assay allows real-time detection of PCR products, and the genotype is subsequently determined by melting curve analysis. In the present studies, RT-ARMS PCR was used to genotype 30 isolates from MV outbreaks in Africa and France. The results using this method were confirmed by comparison to the direct sequencing technique with the same sample. The data show that this new method has the advantages of rapidity, reproducibility, and accuracy, which would be both feasible and attractive for large-scale use.
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One sample was isolated in Caen (Caen-04) from an adult, and the two others were isolated in Lyon (Lys04-1 and Lys04-2). Strain Lys04-1 was isolated from a patient after a vacation in Africa, and strain Lys04-2 was isolated from a child after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination.
Samples were taken within 6 days after the onset of the rash. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll gradient centrifugation and cocultivated either with Vero cells for the Gabon strains from 1984 or with B95a cells for other samples in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum. Viruses were stored at 80°C.
Further MV strains were used to set up the RT-ARMS PCR assay. They are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
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TABLE 1. MV strains used to establish the RT-ARMS PCR
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TABLE 2. Genotypes and GenBank accession numbers of the different strains analyzed in this study
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Design of genotype-specific primer for RT-ARMS PCR. To identify specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (also called genotype-specific nucleotides), for genotype differentiation, we studied the multiple alignments of 450 nucleotides of the C-terminal region of nucleoprotein gene sequences, which are currently available from the viral reference genome database (http://www.ncbi.gov). For each genotype identified, one or more genotype-specific nucleotides were identified. A pair of primers, each with an SNP at the 3' end for genotypes A, B2, B3.1, and C2, was designed. For genotypes B3.2 and D7, only one primer contains the SNP, as we were unable to find an appropriate SNP for the second primer. To optimize the amplification during the RT-ARMS PCR, the primers were chosen to yield a product between 100 and 200 bp. Based on the principle described previously by Newton et al. (13) and modified by Bai and Wong (2), to increase the specificity of the RT-ARMS reaction, mismatches were introduced at the two nucleotides immediately 5' to the SNP. Hence, during the annealing process, the primers would match with targets containing perfectly complementary sequence rather than with the ones containing the mismatched signature SNP.
N-gene first-round amplification. Viral RNA was extracted from infected cell supernatants using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini kit (QIAGEN). Specific cDNA of the N gene was synthesized by reverse transcription at 55°C for 30 min, immediately followed by PCR amplification in the same tube, using SuperScript One-Step reverse transcription-PCR with platinum Taq (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's instructions.
For the N gene, primers MVNPCR2 (nucleotides 975 to 996 [5'-GCTGGTGAGTTATCCACACTTG-3']) and MVNPCR4 (nucleotides 1701 to 1722 [5'-GTAGGCGGATGTTGTTCTGGTC-3']) were used to amplify a 747-bp fragment. The PCR cycling program consisted of a denaturation step for 4 min at 94°C followed by 35 cycles of 30 s at 94°C, 45 s at 55°C, and 45 s at 72°C with a final extension step for 7 min at 72°C. All products were held at 4°C. These products were used as a target for RT-ARMS PCR.
Genotyping of MV by RT-ARMS PCR. Previously genotyped samples served as controls for developing the genotyping assay based on RT-ARMS PCR and melting curve analysis. RT-ARMS PCR was performed using the ABI PRISM 7000 sequence detection system (Applied Biosystems). A master mix reaction mixture was prepared and dispensed in 15-µl aliquots into thin-walled microAmp optical tubes (ABI PRISM; Applied Biosystems). Five microliters of N-gene PCR product was then added to each tube. The final reaction mixture contained 400 nM of each primer, 12.5 µl of 2x Platinum SYBR green qPCR SuperMix initial uracil DNA glycosylase, 0.5 µl Rox reference dye (Invitrogen), and RNase-free water to complete the reaction mixture volume to 20 µl. All reactions were performed in duplicate. To test the sensibility of the RT-ARMS PCR, first reactions were assayed using three different dilutions of target containing 0.26 ng, 2.60 ng, or 26 ng of PCR product.
The PCR was performed with an initial uracil DNA glycosylase decontamination step at 50°C for 2 min followed by a hot-start denaturation step at 95°C for 10 min. Next, PCR amplification was carried out for 40 cycles at 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 1 min. The fluorescence was read during the reaction, allowing a continuous monitoring of the amount of PCR product. After amplification, melting curve analysis was performed on the product by heating from 60°C to 95°C for 20 min.
The real-time PCR data were analyzed with ABI PRISM 7000 SDS v1.1 data analysis software (Applied Biosystems). The melting temperature (Tm) indicated by the derivative melting curves in each sample was used to identify the MV genotype. The samples whose melting curves shared the same Tm point with the control genotypes were interpreted as belonging to the same genotype.
Nucleotide sequence accession numbers. Nucleotide sequences for MV strains analyzed in this study have been deposited in the GenBank database under the accession numbers listed in Table 2.
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FIG. 1. Phylogenetic analysis of measles isolates based on the N gene (A) and the H gene (B). Significant bootstrap values (>80%) are indicated.
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Measles viruses from sporadic cases isolated in France during 2004 were genotyped. Of the three samples collected, two were genotype B3.1. An imported case (a sample from a patient who had recently traveled to Algeria) was isolated in Lyon. The second genotype B3.1 case isolated in Caen was also an imported case, as the patient was in contact with a foreigner. The third sample, isolated from a child 15 days after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination, belonged to genotype A.
Design of the RT-ARMS PCR assay for genotype identification. The 450 C-terminal nucleotides of the N gene of measles virus contain sufficient nucleotide variation to allow discrimination among genotypes by phylogenetic analysis. This region was selected for the development of an assay that could discriminate between different genotypes by using primers that hybridize with genotype-specific nucleotides, also called SNPs. These SNPs were selected after multiple alignments of different measles virus nucleoprotein C-terminal sequences available from the NCBI database. We designed specific primers that could discriminate between genotypes A, B2, B3.1, B3.2, C2, and D7 (Table 3).
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TABLE 3. Genotype-specific primers for RT-ARMS PCR
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FIG. 2. Genotyping experiment based on RT-ARMS PCR using SYBR green. Different samples of MV genotypes A, B2, B3.1, B3.2, C2, and D7 were tested. The amplification curves of the isolates that reacted with primers specific for genotype A (A), genotype B2 (C), genotype B3.1 (E), and genotype C2 (G) are indicated, including a representative nonreactive isolate from each genotype and a no-template reaction. On the corresponding dissociation curves (B, D, F, and H), the melting temperature (Tm) for each genotype has been indicated with a vertical line. Delta Rn, relative fluorescence.
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FIG. 3. Amplification curve (A) of various samples of genotypes A, B2, B3.1, B3.2, C2, and D7 as detected by the genotype B3.2-specific primers. On the dissociation curve (B), the melting-point peaks were clearly separated between genotypes A, B3.1, and B3.2. Delta Rn, relative fluorescence.
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The primers designed to detect genotypes A, B2, B3.1, and C2 were highly specific (Fig. 2), as only the targeted genotype was amplified by the corresponding primers. The Tm values for genotypes A, B2, B3.1, and C2 were 83.2, 85.2, 87.3, and 82.4°C, respectively.
The primers for genotype B3.2 reacted preferentially with the targeted genotype; however, the B3.1 genotype was also amplified. In this case, the B3.2-specific primers were a hundred times less efficient than in the homologous system. However, the PCR products from different genotypes could be differentiated by their different melting temperatures (Fig. 3B). The genotype B3.2 product had a Tm value of 86.2°C, whereas non-B3.2 genotypes amplified by the B3.2-specific primers had Tm values of 85.4 and 87.1°C for genotypes A and B3.1, respectively. Similar results, i.e., different peaks but distinguished by Tm values, were obtained with the primers for genotype D7 (data not shown).
Measles outbreak investigations by RT-ARMS PCR. We tested a panel of 30 samples collected during various measles outbreaks: Gabon in 1984 (3 samples), Cameroon in 2001 (17 samples), Morocco in 2003 (7 samples), and sporadic cases in France in 2004 (3 samples). These viruses included the genotypes A (1 sample), B2 (3 samples), B3.1 (19 samples), and C2 (7 samples), as determined by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the C-terminal part of the nucleoprotein (Fig. 1 and 4).
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FIG. 4. Measles outbreak investigation by RT-ARMS PCR. Representative results for genotyping of 30 samples isolated during measles outbreaks in Gabon in 1984 (A), Cameroon in 2001 (B), Morocco in 2003 (C), and France in 2004 (D) are shown. The genotype and the corresponding Tm are indicated. For each outbreak, the melting curve analysis includes a positive control and a no-template sample.
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To confirm the specificity of the RT-ARMS PCR method, at least three samples from each outbreak were investigated using all sets of primers designed in this study. The results show that only the A specimens were amplified by the genotype A-specific primers. Similar results were observed with B2-, B3.1-, and C2-specific primers, which specially amplified the corresponding specimens. In contrast, primers specific for genotypes B3.2 and D7 amplified at least two other genotypes but with a lower efficacy than their corresponding targets (data not shown).
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Different studies have been developed for virus genotyping by real-time PCR. Plantier et al. (16) developed a real-time PCR for human immunodeficiency virus genotyping, and Bruce et al. (3) developed a real-time PCR for specific detection of the RV2 lineage of rhadinoviruses, but all these studies used a fluorescent probe to enhance the specificity of the reaction. In an attempt to increase the specificity of the RT-ARMS primer, we deliberately introduced mismatches near the 3' ends. These primers allowed specific amplification of thetarget sequence followed by SYBR green binding and monitoring of PCR product accumulation. It therefore eliminated the need to synthesize expensive fluorescent probes. Furthermore, this approach can be used to efficiently enhance specificity in other hybridization protocols.
The feasibility of RT-ARMS genotyping of MV was demonstrated using samples from different epidemics. Rapid investigation of measles outbreaks provides important information about vaccination program impact and ensures the implementation of appropriate outbreak response activities. Data on the MV genotype in Gabon in 1984 confirmed that only the B2 genotype was circulating in that region. Since 1984, genotype B2 has not been found elsewhere. With the implementation of MV surveillance by the WHO in African countries, further molecular epidemiology studies will clarify whether or not the B2 genotype is still circulating in Central Africa.
The analysis of isolates from Cameroon in 2001 show that only genotype B3.1 was found. Genotype B1 was identified in Cameroon in 1983 (19) and has not been found since. It appears to have been replaced by genotype B3.1 (9), or it may be present in areas that have not been investigated.
In Morocco, only genotype C2 was found during the 2003 epi-demic. An imported case of MV of genotype C2 from Morocco was found during the same year in Spain (12). Since the beginning of molecular characterization of MV in Morocco in 1998 (1), only genotype C2 has been identified. It probably represents the endemic strain in that country.
In France during 2004, sporadic measles cases were genotype A (a postvaccination case) and genotype B3.1, genotypes imported from Africa. We previously reported that MV genotype B3.1 was geographically restricted to Central Africa and the Sudan (9). The advent of modern travel has led to a large distribution of these viruses. The importation of MV genotype B3.1 from Africa in Spain during the 2003 epidemic was previously reported (12). The first case of African MV imported to France was isolated in Lyon in 1994 and belonged to genotype B3.2 (7). The number of African measles importations in Europe is increasing, and this raises the question of the coordination of MV molecular surveillance between the two continents.
In this study, we described a real-time ARMS PCR assay for genotyping of six measles genotypes. Using the results obtained by direct sequencing as a reference, the data show that the accuracy of MV genotyping by melting curve analysis was approximately 97%. Despite similar reproducibility, the RT-ARMS PCR offers several advantages over sequencing analysis. First, the RT-ARMS PCR technique is more sensitive, as only 0.26 ng of the PCR product is required instead of the 50 ng required for the sequencing technique. Second, the time saved by this approach is considerable. The throughput in the laboratory has increased from approximately 3 days for 30 genotypes by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to 2 h by RT-ARMS PCR assay. Finally, the RT-ARMS PCR genotyping assay is more appropriate for high-throughput screening, as it does not required extensive post-PCR manipulation.
In conclusion, the RT-ARMS PCR assay showed good genotyping accuracy and was more sensitive and rapid. The real-time PCR technology is presently available in some laboratories in developing countries (16). Therefore, our method could be a useful and simple tool for molecular epidemiological studies by allowing rapid discrimination between different genotypes in field conditions.
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