Rapid Group-, Serotype-, and Vaccine Strain-Specific Identification of Poliovirus Isolates by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR Using Degenerate Primers and Probes Containing Deoxyinosine Residues

We have adapted our previously described poliovirus diagnostic reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays to a real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) format. Our highly specific assays and rRT-PCR reagents are designed for use in the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network for rapid and large-scale identification of poliovirus field isolates.