Detection and identification Fabavirus species by one-step RT-PCR and multiplex RT-PCR

The genus Fabavirus of the family Secoviridae comprises a group of poorly characterized viruses. To date,only five species have been described: Broad bean wilt virus 1 (BBWV-1), Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV-2),Lamium mild mosaic virus (LMMV), Gentian mosaic virus (GeMV) and Cucurbit mild mosaic virus (CuMMV).The development is described of two RT-PCR procedures for the detection and identification of Fabavirusspecies: a one-step RT-PCR using a single pair of conserved primers for the detection of all fabaviruses, anda one-step multiplex RT-PCR using species-specific primers for the simultaneous detection and identificationof the above-mentioned species of the genus Fabavirus. These methods were applied successfullyto field samples and the results were compared with those obtained by molecular hybridization andELISA. The combination of the two techniques enables rapid, sensitive and reliable identification of thefive known fabavirus species, as well as the possibility of discovering new species of this genus.