An RT-PCR assay using oral fluid samples to detect rubella virus genome for epidemiological surveillance.

A reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was developed for detecting rubella virus (RV) RNA using primer pairs which targeted a variable region of the E1 gene. RV genome was detected in oral fluid, throat swabs, serum and tissue samples. This is the first report to show that RV genome can be detected in oral fluid samples, including acute cases < or = 2 days after onset of symptoms, which have previously only been used for antibody testing. This suggests that PCR is useful for assisting with early diagnosis when a sufficient IgM response may not have been mounted. The PCR amplicon of 553 nucleotides was also useful for molecular genotyping, which contributes to RV epidemiological surveillance. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.