CHEMILUMINESCENT MICROWELL HYBRIDIZATION ASSAY FOR DIRECT-DETECTION OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 DNA

A method for the direct detection of human parvovirus DNA in serum sam ples that uses a digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe to hybridize with targe t B19 DNA, followed by capture of the hybrid onto a microtiter plate w ells previously coated with a second oligonucleotide probe was develop ed. The captured hybrid is then detected with anti-digoxigenin-alkalin e phosphatase conjugate and chemiluminescent substrate and the reactio n read on a scintillation counter. The relative sensitivities of the m icrowell and standard dot blot hybridization assays were compared. The chemiluminescent microwell hybridization assay was more sensitive tha n dot-blot hybridization and could be performed in a few hours. This f ormat, therefore, permits rapid and sensitive detection of parvovirus DNA suitable for the clinical setting.