INVESTIGADORES
LOZANO Mario Enrique
artículos
Título:
Rapid diagnosis of Argentine hemorrhagic fever by reverse transcriptase PCR-based assay
Autor/es:
LOZANO, M.E.; ENRIA, D.A.; MAIZTEGUI, J.I.; GRAU, O.; ROMANOWSKI, V.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Editorial:
AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
Referencias:
Lugar: Washington; Año: 1995 vol. 34 p. 1327 - 1332
ISSN:
0095-1137
Resumen:
Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is an endemo-epidemic disease caused
by Junín virus. This report demonstrates that a reverse transcriptase
(RT) PCR-based assay developed in our laboratory to detect Junín virus
in whole blood samples is sensitive and specific. The experiments were
conducted in a double-blinded manner using 94 clinical samples collected
in the area in which AHF is endemic. The RT-PCR-based assay was
compared with traditional methodologies, including enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay, plaque neutralization tests, and occasionally viral
isolation. The calculated parameters for RT-PCR diagnosis, with
seroconversion as the "gold standard," were 98% sensitivity and 76%
specificity. It is noteworthy that 94% of the patients with putative
false-positive results (RT-PCR positive and no seroconversion detected)
exhibited febrile syndromes of undefined etiology. These results could
be interpreted to mean that most of those patients with febrile
syndromes were actually infected with Junín virus but did not develop a
detectable immune response. Furthermore, 8 laboratory-fabricated samples
and 25 blood samples of patients outside the area in which AHF is
endemic tested in a similar way were disclosed correctly (100% match).
The RT-PCR assay is the only laboratory test available currently for the
early and rapid diagnosis of AHF. It is sensitive enough to detect the
low viremia found during the period in which immune plasma therapy can
be used effectively, reducing mortality rates from 30% to less than 1%.