EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 06 - 1997 Num. article: 1997/117

Print-capture PCR: a new detection method for plum pox potyvirus


A new detection method for plum pox potyvirus (PPV - EPPO A2 quarantine pest) has been developed in France and Spain. This new method called print-capture PCR (PC-PCR) allows rapid and sensitive detection of PPV from infected plants without the need of grinding samples. Prints are made on Whatman paper with fresh sections of leaves or stems. These prints can be processed immediately or stored at room temperature for one month. Squares of paper harbouring the prints are then processed by PCR (with a capture step). When compared with other PCR methods, the PC-PCR showed a comparable sensitivity. The authors concluded that PC-PCR is a fast, sensitive and cheap method which should be very useful in routine testing programmes for PPV. In addition, they felt that it could be adapted for the detection of other viruses.

Sources

Olmos, A.; Dasí, M.A.; Candresse, T.; Cambra, M. (1996) Print-capture PCR: a simple and highly sensitive method for the detection of plum pox virus (PPV) in plant tissues.
Nucleic Acids Research, 24(11), 2192-2193.