Application of Real-Time Fluorescence PCR for Detection of HFMD Virus Nucleic Acid

[Objective]To investigate the application value of real-time fluorescent RT-PCR and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)for the detection of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD)virus nucleic acid.[Methods]The excrements and throat swab specimens were collected from children with suspected enterovirus infection in Fengxian district from May to August in 2009.The enterovirus type 71(EV71)and Coxsackie A16(CoXA16)were tested by real-time fluorescent PCR and RT-PCR.[Results]Among excrements and throat swab specimens of 38 suspected cases,63(82.89%)positive specimens of EV71and CoXA 16 were detected by real-time fluorescent PCR,and 52(68.42%)positive specimens were detected by RT-PCR.[Conclusion]The real-time fluorescent RT-PCR has the advantages of high sensitivity and specificity,and it can detect virus RNA within several hours after sampling,so as to diagnose rapidly.The method plays an important role in the epidemiological investigation and control of enterovirus.