Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jun 2017)

PCR Detection of Mimivirus

  • Didier Raoult,
  • Anthony Levasseur,
  • Bernard La Scola

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2306.161896
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 6
pp. 1044 – 1045

Abstract

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In an epidemiological study, mimivirus was reported as an unlikely cause of human respiratory infections in China. Our analysis revealed the nonsensitivity of the PCR method, which detected less than 10% of the current known mimivirus. We conclude that epidemiologic studies must use accurate and sensitive laboratory test methods.

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