REAL-TIME PCR DETECTION OF RABIES VIRUS EMPLOYING SYBR GREEN DYE

The present study was envisaged to compare the sensitivity of SYBR Green real time PCR with immunofluorescence PCR for diagnosis of rabies. SYBR Green real time PCR technique was applied on brain samples collected from 39 rabies suspected animals. Sensitivity of SYBR Green technique was compared in accordance with WHO recommended gold standard test viz. Fluorescent Antibody Technique (FAT) applied on brain samples. SYBR Green real time PCR applied on brain samples had successfully confirmed rabies in 16/39 with a Sensitivity of 80%. It was concluded that SYBR Green real time PCR is a useful, specific, sensitive and better molecular approach for diagnosis of rabies from brain of rabid suspected cases and can be used as confirmatory test for rabies diagnosis.