Use of cRNA digoxigenin-labelled probes for detection of enteroviruses in humans and in the environment.

A dot blot hybridization test for enteroviruses is described using non-radioactive digoxigenin-labelled probes and a chemiluminescent detection. The use of a 5' non-coding riboprobe which detects all enteroviruses and a VP1 probe that detects the three serotypes of polioviruses allows the rapid detection of polioviruses and non-polio enteroviruses in human specimens or environmental water samples. The assay is strictly enterovirus specific and sensitive (800 fg RNA) and offers several advantages over conventional diagnosis or radioactive probes.