Journal article

Comparison of sensitivity between real-tim detection of a TaqMan assay for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and conventional detection

S Garland, J Wood, LF Skerratt

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms | INTER-RESEARCH | Published : 2011

Abstract

A sensitive and quantitative TaqMan® assay for the causative agent of chytridiomycosis in amphibians (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) has been developed and is routinely used in diagnostic laboratories. We assessed whether the real time detection of the TaqMan® assay was as sensitive as the detection of the PCR product by agarose gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining. We found, for practical purposes, that gel-based detection of the diagnostic fragment produced by means of the TaqMan ® assay or by conventional PCR that used a different polymerase and reaction mix was as sensitive as the real-time detection of the TaqMan ® assay. We recommend the qualified use of conventional PCR ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council



Funding Acknowledgements

This study was made possible owing to funding from a tender (RFT 42/2004) entitled 'Experimental research to obtain a better understanding of the epidemiology, transmission and dispersal of amphibian chytrid fungus in Australian ecosystems' from the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and a grant (DP0452826) entitled 'Epidemiology and pathogenesis of chytridiomycosis in Australian frogs' from the Australian Research Council.