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. 1996 Feb;34(2):334–337. doi: 10.1128/jcm.34.2.334-337.1996

Strain-specific reverse transcriptase PCR assay: means to distinguish candidate vaccine from wild-type strains of respiratory syncytial virus.

H Zheng 1, T C Peret 1, V B Randolph 1, J C Crowley 1, L J Anderson 1
PMCID: PMC228792  PMID: 8789010

Abstract

Candidate live-virus vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus are being developed and are beginning to be evaluated in clinical trials. To distinguish candidate vaccine strains from wild-type strains isolated during these trials, we developed PCR assays specific to two sets of candidate vaccine strains. The two sets were a group A strain (3A), its three attenuated, temperature-sensitive variant strains, a group B strain (2B), and its four attenuated, temperature-sensitive variant strains. The PCR assays were evaluated by testing 18 group A wild-type strains, the 3A strains, 9 group B wild-type strains, and the 2B strains. PCR specific to group A wild-type strains amplified only group A wild-type strains, and 3A-specific PCR amplified only 3A strains. PCR specific to group B wild-type strains amplified all group A and group B strains but gave a 688-bp product for group B wild-type strains, a 279-bp product for 2B strains, a 547-bp product for all group A strains, and an additional 688-bp product for some group A strains, including 3A strains. These types of PCR assays can, in conjunction with other methods, be used to efficiently distinguish candidate vaccine strains from other respiratory syncytial virus strains.

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Selected References

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