Comparison of the NucliSens Basic kit (Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification) and the Argene Biosoft Enterovirus Consensus Reverse Transcription-PCR assays for rapid detection of enterovirus RNA in clinical specimens

J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Nov;41(11):5006-10. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.11.5006-5010.2003.

Abstract

Samples were tested for enterovirus by nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) (NucliSens Basic kit; BioMerieux), reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) (Enterovirus Consensus RT-PCR kit; Argene Biosoft), and virus isolation. Eighty-two samples were tested, and 44 were positive, 34 by both NASBA and RT-PCR and 5 each by NASBA or RT-PCR only. Two nasopharyngeal samples positive only by RT-PCR were determined to be rhinovirus. Of 42 enterovirus-positive samples, NASBA detected 39 (92.9%) and RT-PCR detected 37 (88.1%). The NucliSens Basic kit and the Argene Biosoft RT-PCR had comparable sensitivities for detection of enterovirus RNA, and both molecular methods were more sensitive than culture, which detected only 60.5% of positive samples. NASBA could be completed in 6.5 h versus 9 h for the Argene Biosoft RT-PCR kit.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Enterovirus / classification
  • Enterovirus / genetics
  • Enterovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Enterovirus Infections / virology*
  • Gene Amplification*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic