AN RT-PCR TEST FOR THE DETECTION OF TOMATO SPOTTED WILT TOSPOVIRUS INCORPORATING IMMUNOCAPTURE AND COLORIMETRIC ESTIMATION

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based assay for the detection of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) has been modifi ed and improved by the use of immunocapture of virus by solid phase ad sorbed antibodies and colorimetric detection of nested PCR products, i nto which digoxigenin has been incorporated, by an ELOSA (enzyme-linke d oligonucleotide-sorbent assay)-like assay. The use of the colorimetr ic assay for the detection of tospoviruses by using 'universal' primer s in the RT-PCR stage is also described.