Zika Virus consists of its genome as single stranded RNA, which
can be detected in the blood serum or urine of the suspected
individuals by performing RT- qPCR(real time-polymerase chain
reaction) a method which couples DNA/RNA amplification with
quantification and cancan be performed as follows :
- Primers are designed for NS5 structural envelope gene coding
region of viral RNA.
- Probe contains FAM ( 6- carboxyfluoroscein) fluorescent
reporter dye at 5' end and TAMRA (6-carboxytetramethylrhodamin)
quencher at 3' end.
- The NS5 region of the viral RNA is amplified using the designed
primers, real time proceeding of reaction is determined by the
reporter dye and quencher.
- RiboaGreen fluorescent dye is used for RNA quantification.
- Copies of RNA molecules are calculated.