Designing Multiplex PCR Primers for the Simultaneous Detection of Three Respiratory Viruses Based on Fusion Protein Surface Antigen Gene

Abstract

Respiratory viruses are major causes of illness and death worldwide. Due to overlapping symptoms, accurate and timely diagnosis is challenging for viruses such as Metapneumovirus, Respirovirus, and Orthopneumovirus. Traditional single-target diagnostic methods are often time-consuming and inefficient, highlighting the need for a rapid and multiplexed molecular approach. These three viruses have the Fusion (F) protein surface antigen gene that can be targeted for identification, since the F protein surface antigen gene is responsible for host cell entry. This study aims to design a set of multiplex PCR (mPCR) primers that can allow simultaneous detection of the three viruses with high specificity.