Detection of carrier cattle and sheep persistently infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus by a rapid real-time RT-PCR assay

The detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in persistently infected carriers among exposed ruminants is of great importance in disease control. For this purpose, a real time, fluorogenic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) assay was evaluated for the identification of FMDV carrier animals. The results indicate that this real time RT-PCR assay may be suitable for detection of FMDV carrier animals. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.