Sensitivity of RNA viral nucleic acid-based detection of avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, and African horse sickness virus on flinders technology associates card using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Background and Aim: The flinders technology associates (FTA) card is a cotton-based cellulose membrane impregnated with a chaotropic agent that inactivates infectious microorganisms, lyses cellular material, and fixes DNA and/or RNA within the fiber matrix. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these cards for detecting RNA viruses in animals. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of RNA virus detection using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on FTA cards. Materials and Methods: A highly virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and an avian influenza virus (AIV) with low pathogenicity were propagated using chicken embryonic eggs. Three days after inoculation, the allantoic fluid was harvested, stored at –80°C, and the stock virus was tested for virus titration. African horse sickness virus (AHSV) was obtained from a live attenuated vaccine that was dissolved and stored at –80°C. For sample preparation, each stock virus was 10-fold serially diluted and each dilution was inoculated onto an FTA card, followed by drying in a Class II safety cabinet. Both the stock virus and infected FTA card were genomically isolated using an extraction kit, FTA purification kit, and extraction kit with Tris-EDTA (TE) buffer. The target genome was then detected by one-step RT-PCR for NDV and AIV, and two-step RT-PCR for African horse sickness, including gel electrophoresis for the detection of specific nucleic acids. Results: The detection limit of stock AIV was compared on FTA cards, using the FTA purification kit, and with TE buffer with an extraction kit. The corresponding results were 1.47, 1.17, and 2.18 log10 EID50, respectively, while for NDV the results were 4.13, 4.83, and 4.84 log10 ELD50. Finally, detection limit of stock AHSV and AHSV on the FTA card extracted using TE buffer with an extraction kit were 4.30 and 4.01 log10 plaque-forming units, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the detection limit or sensitivity of all tested RNA viruses on FTA cards did not differ when compared with those of the stock virus and in both methods for RNA isolation on FTA cards. These cards are suitable for collecting and transporting samples infected with RNA viruses, particularly AIV, NDV, and AHSV. Flinders technology associates cards also provide hazard-free samples, a reliable source of RNA for molecular characterization, and sufficient quantity for diagnostic applications based on nucleic acid-based detection.

Stability and Detection Limit of Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease Virus, and African Horse Sickness Virus on Flinders Technology Associates Card by Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction

“…In contrast, our study detected varying levels of NDV RNA, with 2.83 log 10 ELD 50 detected after the infected card was kept at room temperature for 1 week, increasing to 5.83 log 10 ELD 50 for up to 5 months. Additionally, our study confirmed virus inactivation on the card within 30 min, consistent with reports by Rattanamas et al [46] and Perozo et al [48]. FTA cards unequivocally prove themselves to be suitable for collecting and transporting NDV-positive samples, providing a reliable source of RNA for molecular characterization, and ensuring sample safety.…”

“…Additionally, Krambrich et al [45] observed the detection of the Sindbis, Chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis viruses, which remained detectable when stored in the infected FTA card at 4 • C and 25 • C over a 30-day period but degraded rapidly at 37 • C. However, our study discerned an inverse correlation between the detection limit and storage duration, particularly pronounced for AIV and NDV, as detailed in Tables 3 and 4. Furthermore, the detection limit in our study accurately paralleled the actual virus titer on the FTA card and could also depict the detected titer, aligning with the reported findings of Rattanamas et al [46]. This alignment with previous research emphasizes the reliability of our study's findings and underscores the practical implications for virus detection and storage strategies.…”