OPTIMIZATION OF REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE-PCR BY USING SPECIFIC PRIMERS IN DETECTING DENGUE VIRUS

Background: Dengue virus belongs to positive stranded encapsulated RNA viruses. In Pakistan species infecting people are not known. The methods used for detection of virus in Pakistan are ELISA, Dot blot immunoassay and compliment fixation test. Objective: to detect dengue virus by using specific primers like DEN-1, DEN-II, DEN-III, DEN-IV cloning. Methods: 15 samples were collected from Mayo Hospital Lahore and Allied Hospital Faisalabad through non-probability convenient sampling. RNA was extracted and optimization of RT-PCR was done by using specific primers like DEN-I, DEN-II, DEN-III, DEN-IV cloning. Reverse transcriptase PCR can detect dengue virus with more accuracy in less time. Difference among four dengue virus serotypes can be detected by using RT-PCR. Detection in early phase of infection is possible by using RT-PCR. Key Words: reverse transcriptase PCR, dengue virus, primers, detection