DETECTION OF JC VIRUS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION AND COLORIMETRIC DNA HYBRIDIZATION ASSAY

A procedure for rapid detection of JC virus (JCV) using the polymerase chain reaction is described. The procedure was tested in eight HIV-1- seropositive patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. One-step DNA extraction using a chelating resin was carried out on cl inical samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine and brain tissue. A fter amplification, PCR products were detected by a DNA hybridization method. Microplates were coated with a specific probe and hybridized P CR products were revealed by a commercial colorimetric immunoassay. Us ing this procedure JC virus DNA was detected in all CSF specimens from patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. This sensit ive and rapid (24 h) procedure could greatly facilitate use of the DNA probe assay for detection of JC virus in clinical laboratories.