Abstract
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease is a cross-species infectious
disease that severely affects small ruminants and causes great losses to
livestock industries in various countries. Distinguishing
vaccine-immunized animals from naturally infected animals is an
important prerequisite for the eradication of PPR. Although peste des
petits ruminants virus (PPRV) was currently divided into lineages I-IV
and only one vaccine strain N75 belongs to type II, its epidemic strains
in China all belong to lineage IV. As to achieve this goal, we developed
an SYBR Green I real-time RT-qPCR method for rapid detection and
differentiation of PPRV lineage II and IV by analyzing different melting
curve analyses. Primers targeting the L gene were highly specific, as
evidenced by the negative amplification of closely related viruses, such
as Orf virus, goat poxvirus, and Foot-and-mouth disease virus. The
sensitivity of the assay was assessed based on plasmid DNA and the
detection limit achieved was 10 copies of PPRV-II and PPRV-IV
respectively. As the method has high sensitivity, specificity, and
reproducibility, which will be significant in effectively controlling
the occurrence and transmission of PPRV.