PVwide Organization

Viral detection and characterization is mainly achieved using three kind of complementary assays corresponding to biologically-, serologically- and molecularly-based assays. Viral diagnosis based on biological properties of isolates allows both the detection of the pathogen and the underlining of its infectiousness. However, these tests are time- (infection kinetics and delay in symptom expression) and space- (requirement greenhouse areas) consuming. In consequences, numerous serological (e. g. ELISA) and molecular (e. g. RFLP and RT-PCR) assays have been developed and published.

However, the already developed tools are not reliable for the detection/characterization of the different PVY groups and variants. The recent identification of molecular determinants involved in necrotic properties of PVY isolates (Tribodet et al., 2005) allowed the set up of innovative tools. Indeed, three assays corresponding to detection (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based assay), characterization (SnaPshot-based assay) and/or quantification (real-time RT-PCR assay) tools have been recently developed. These Fast, Reliable, Innovative Tools for the detection of Necrotic PVY isolates (FRIT’N PVY) are 10 times more sensitive than previously published molecular tools (efficient detection of 100 PVY genomes in tested samples), present a reliability unmatched to this day (identification of necrotic ability of PVY isolates) and produce highly specific diagnosis (simultaneous detection and characterization of isolates belonging to PVY^N, PVY^O, PVY^NTN and PVY^N-W groups and variants). These tests constitute a significant improvement for the identification of necrotic risks associated with PVY infecting potato plants. They have been associated with an international patent (Patent Number 0503610 April 2005, at the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle, France). According to their characteristics, these tools will be used in the PVY^wide Organization project.