Primers and probes

The Centralized Laboratory Department of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH) is seeking to purchase customized primers and probes designed to be used for molecular diagnosis of Dengue virus (four serotypes), Chikungunya virus, Zika virus, Mayaro virus, Hantavirus, Orthobunyavirus (including Guaroa, Oropouche, Group C, Bunyamwera and California viruses), Influenza virus (Influenza A-matrix gene and B) and its subtypes (H3, H1pdm/SwH1N1, H1 seasonal), and SARS-CoV-2.

Requested primers and probes will be used for reverse transcription (RT) real-time PCR assays using serum, saliva, blood and/or urine samples from febrile surveillance protocols and pharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs, fecal samples and/or egg culture samples from respiratory surveillance protocols. All these NAMRU SOUTH assays have been validated using the TaqMan 7500/7500 Fast Real time PCR system and QuantStudio platforms.

The real-time PCR assays have been developed independently for each SOP and involve much time and effort by laboratory technicians, and supervisors for final approval. Materials used must remain the same as the ones indicated in the SOPs, otherwise the design and validation of these processes would have to be initiated from scratch, which would delay all processing and the timely detection of public health relevant pathogens. Shipment of primers is expected to happen as soon as contract is awarded to the following address: NAMRU-SOUTH 3230 Lima Place Washington, DC 20521