Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of porcine circovirus 3

The objective of this study was to develop a real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (rt-RPA) assay for the rapid detection of porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3). Specific RPA primers and exo probes were designed for the cap gene of PCV3 within the conserved region of viral genome. The amplification was performed at 38 °C for 20 min. The rt-RPA was specific for PCV3, as there was no cross-reaction with other pathogens tested. Using the recombinant plasmid pUC57-PCV3 as template, the analytical sensitivity was 23 copies. Of the 186 clinical samples, PCV3 DNA was identified in the 51 samples by the rt-RPA, and the positive rate was 27.4% (51/186). The diagnostic agreement between the rt-RPA and real-time PCR was 96.2%. The R2 value of rt-RPA and real-time PCR was 0.919 by linear regression analysis. The developed rt-RPA assay shows promise for rapid and sensitive detection of PCV3 in diagnostic laboratories and at point-of-need, thus facilitating the prevention and control of PCV3.