One-step RT-PCR for detection of Zika virus

BackgroundZika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus circulating in Asia and Africa. Human infection induces an influenza-like syndrome that is associated with retro-orbital pain, oedema, lymphadenopathy, or diarrhea. Diagnosis of Zika fever requires virus isolation and serology, which are time consuming or cross-reactive.ObjectiveTo develop a one-step RT-PCR assay to detect ZIKV in human serum.Study designAn assay targeting the envelope protein coding region was designed and evaluated for its specificity, detection limit, repeatability, and capacity to detect ZIKV isolates collected over a 40-year period from various African countries and hosts.ResultsThe assay's detection limit and repeatability were respectively 7.7 pfu/reaction and 100% in serum and L-15 medium; none of 19 other flaviviruses tested were detected.ConclusionsThe assay is rapid, sensitive, and specific to detect ZIKV in cell culture or serum, but needs to be validated for diagnosis using clinical samples.