Use of a rapid reverse-transcription recombinase aided amplification assay for respiratory syncytial virus detection

In this study, a rapid reverse-transcription recombinase aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay was developed to detect respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroups A and B, respectively. The reaction was performed at 39°C in less than 30 min. The analytical sensitivities of RSVA and RSVB at 95% probability by probit regression analysis were 38copies per reaction and 35 copies per reaction, respectively, and no cross reactions with other related respiratory viruses were observed. The RT-RAA assay was further utilized to detect and subgroup 306 clinical specimens and the results showed that 79(25.82%, 79/306) samples were positive for RSV, of those 16(20.25%, 16/79) were identified as RSVA and 63(79.75%, 63/79) were RSVB, which is completely consistent with the results obtained by RSV RT-qPCR assay. In conclusion, the developed RAA assay will be of benefit as a faster, sensitive and specific alternative tool for detection of RSV.