Comparative Study: Conventional and Real-Time PCR of enterovirus 70 and 71 as causative agents of eye infections in Thi Qar province
Keywords:
Enterovirus 70،Enterovirus 71 ،Viral conjunctivitis ،PCR ،Real-time PCR ،Eye infectionsAbstract
Abstract.
Enteroviruses EV70 and EV71 are important viral pathogens; EV70 is primarily associated with acute hemorrhagic
conjunctivitis, while EV71 is linked to hand-foot-and-mouth disease with occasional ocular involvement. This study aimed
to evaluate the performance of conventional PCR and real-time PCR in detecting these viruses from conjunctival swabs in
Thi-Qar Province. A total of 120 conjunctival swabs were collected from patients suspected of viral eye infections, and viral
RNA was extracted and tested using both conventional PCR and real-time PCR. All samples were negative by conventional
PCR, whereas real-time PCR detected infections mainly in children aged 1–10 years, with EV70 being the predominant
virus. These findings suggest a potential association of EV70 and EV71 with pediatric eye infections and emphasize the
importance of sensitive molecular diagnostics for early and accurate detection
Downloads
