A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based procedure for the detection of TT v
irus DNA is described. In this method, total nucleic acid extracted from a
small volume of serum or plasma is utilized as a template in PCR employing
TT virus specific primers designed to highly conserved regions of the virus
genome. Additional sensitivity is obtained by carrying out a second round
of amplification. Reactions are analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, an
d samples having an ethidium bromide stainable fragment of the appropriate
size in the first and/or second amplification are designated as positive. T
his protocol allows for the rapid and sensitive detection of TT virus in hu
man plasma or serum. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.