Oligonucleotide Probes for the Specific Detection of the Wild Poliovirus Types 1 and 3 Endemic to Brazil

Authors:
  • MPMark A. Pallansch
    Mark A. Pallansch
  • BHBrian P. Holloway
    Brian P. Holloway
  • MOMaria José Couto Oliveira
    Maria José Couto Oliveira
  • HSHermann G. Schatzmayr
    Hermann G. Schatzmayr
  • OKOlen M. Kew
    Olen M. Kew
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Abstract
Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide probes, 21–23 nucleotides in length, were prepared which specifically hybridize to the genomes of the wild type 1 and 3 polioviruses currently endemic to the northeastern region of Brazil. The probes are complementary to sequences near the 5’-terminus of the VPl gene that differ substantially among genetically distant polioviruses but are largely conserved among related isolates. The probes have been routinely used in the laboratory surveillance of poliomyelitis cases in Brazil, permitting direct, rapid identification of the indigenous wild polioviruses by dot-blot hybridization.