Forensic signatures for Marburgviruses

Song, Jian; Wolinsky, Murray; Wren, Melinda; Burr, Tom; Li, Po-E; Doggett, Norman A.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.09.026

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

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“…However, SNP‐based assays are still much faster than direct sequencing, which will be essential for time‐sensitive forensic investigations. The best solution for forensic analysis may be to apply both methods in parallel .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Forensic Assay Signatures for Ebolaviruses

Song

Doggett

Wren

et al. 2015

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Ebolaviruses are a diverse group of RNA viruses comprising five different species, four of which cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in humans. Because of their high infectivity and lethality, ebolaviruses are considered major biothreat agents. Although detection assays exist, no forensic assays are currently available. Here, we report the development of forensic assays that differentiate ebolaviruses. We performed phylogenetic analyses and identified canonical SNPs for all species, major clades and isolates. TaqMan-MGB allelic discrimination assays based on these SNPs were designed, screened against synthetic RNA templates, and validated against ebolavirus genomic RNAs. A total of 45 assays were validated to provide 100% coverage of the species and variants with additional resolution at the isolate level. These assays enabled accurate forensic analysis on 4 "unknown" ebolaviruses. Unknowns were correctly classified to species and variant. A goal of providing resolution below the isolate level was not successful. These high-resolution forensic assays allow rapid and accurate genotyping of ebolaviruses for forensic investigations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%