Construction of a gene probe for detection of P virus (Reoviridae) in a marine decapod

Citation
A. Walton et al., Construction of a gene probe for detection of P virus (Reoviridae) in a marine decapod, J VIROL MET, 81(1-2), 1999, pp. 183-192
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
ISSN journal
01660934 → ACNP
Volume
81
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
183 - 192
Database
ISI
SICI code
0166-0934(199908)81:1-2<183:COAGPF>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
The construction is described of a molecular probe to P virus, a double str anded RNA virus belonging to the Reoviridiae, which is an endemic pathogen of swimming crabs in British coastal waters and the Mediterranean. The prob e hybridises to the P virus genome and can be easily produced in large quan tities by PCR. It may be used by dot blotting or in situ hybridisation to s pecifically detect P virus in tissues and cells of natural or experimentall y infected animals. Analyses of tissue samples with this probe show that th e virus infects connective tissues of gills and hepatopancreas. This is the first gene probe to be constructed for a native viral pathogen of temperat e water brachyurans and it will be useful to study virus ecology and virus- host interactions in vivo and in vitro. An understanding of these processes is essential to control and manage disease and, ultimately, to identify im mune effecters capable of destroying viral pathogens. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.