Validation of a microarrays protocol for detection and genotyping isolates of Plum pox virus

A genomic strategy for PPV identification has been recently developed (Pasquini et al., 2008). The method is based on using a 70-mer oligonucleotide DNA microarray chip capable of simultaneously detecting and genotyping PPV strains. Universal and specific probes have been identified and used with a sensitive protocol of hybridization using an indirect fluorescent labelling of cDNA product with cyanine able to enhance the sensitivity of the virus detection avoiding the use of the PCR amplification step. In order to evaluate the protocol fitness for diagnostic use, about 30 samples belonging to a PPV isolates collection, including M, D, EA and C strains, have been used for its validation, that was determined, estimating the performance criteria that include the following parameters: diagnostic sensitivity (D-SN), diagnostic specificity (D-SP) and diagnostic accuracy (D-AC).