Comparison of two molecular techniques for the detection of avian reoviruses in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded chicken tissues

Reverse transcription (RT) in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in s itu hybridization (ISH) techniques were used to detect the oc-encoded gene of avian reovirus (ARV) in chicken tissue sections. The advantage of using in situ methods is to make more rapid and accurate diagnosis of ARV infecti ons. The sensitivity of these two techniques were compared. Of the two tech niques, the RT in situ PCR test was found to be more sensitive than ISH and provided the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of ARV infections. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.