Urine-Based XMRV testing?

[Berthe]

Wish I could be there.

Just remember:
Left hand free drink, right hand sample cup
Left hand free drink, right hand sample cup
Right hand free drink, left hand sample cup - DOOOH

:Retro smile:

What if my Fanta test positive?

Berthe

 

[Otis]

What if my Fanta test positive?

Berthe

Then it's a saliva test too.

 

[George]

Then it's a saliva test too.

ROFLMTOOOOO!

Who knew pee could be so much fun!

 

[julius]

ROFLMTOOOOO!

Who knew pee could be so much fun!

Ashley MacIsaac.

That's one for the Canadians.
(viewer discretion advised)

 

[glenp]

Rafael

Is Raphael around? Raphael did some research on this urine test. I sent the info to Annette in June when I saw it

http://www.forums.aboutmecfs.org/showthread.php?5612-XMRV-testing-urine




glen

 

[George]

Prostate Cancer gets all the good stuff first. (pout)

From

Presence of XMRV RNA in urine of prostate cancer patients

Gupta et al

Cleveland Clinic and Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute

Introduction: Urine specimens from cancer patients are often used as a source of RNA for detectin expression of genes of interest involved in cancer development and metastasis. A noninvasive urine based test for XMRV detection would be useful for screening and monitoring men with prostate cancer.

Methods: We have examined urine samples from 120 unselected prostate cancer patients after prostate massage during digital rectal examination. Also urine samples from 22 normal, healthy control individuals were tested. RNA was extracted from the samples using magnetic bead-based Magmax viral RNA isolation kit from Ambion. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure low copies of XMRV RNA in samples. Standard curves were performed using in vitro transcribed XMRV env RNA. Confirmation of the presence or absence of XMRV nucleic acids was obtained by nested RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the amplicon. These methods specifically amplify env sequences encoding a region of XMRV gp79 envelope protein (variable regions A and C)

Results: We have identified XMRV specific nucleic acids from prostate cancer patient urine samples. The sensitivity of the qRT-PCR assay was determined to be about 10 copies of XMRV RNA per reaction. About 26% of prostate cancer patients (31/120) showed the presence of XMRV env RNA by qRT-PCR analysis, whereas only 10 (8.3%) were scored as positive by nested nRT-PCR. However, all 10 of the samples that were positive for XMRV RNA by nRT-PCR were also positive by qRT-PCR. In contrast, 1 out of 22 or (4.5%) control urine samples from normal healthy individuals were scored as positive for XMRV env RNA by qRT-PCR. A subset of positive samples was retested by qRT-PCR for another region of env and confirmed as positive. The range of XMRV RNA copy numbers detected was 15 to 60 copies per ml of urine. RT-PCR products of selected samples containing XMRV RNA were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Conclusions: The presence of XMRV RNA in urine is significant because such data can provide the basis for a urine-based XMRV detection assay that is noninvasive, rapid and easy to perform, avoiding the difficulty of obtaining blood or tissue biopsies. Results showed that qRT-PCR was more sensitive than nRT-PCR. Because men with XMRV infections, especially those that fail to clear the virus, may be at increased risk of prostate cancer these studies could result in a new diagnostic tool for evaluating risk of prostate cancer initiation and or progression.

So I don't know about this company but it's definitely doable! When I search the Ambion Inc. web site they don't have anything specific for XMRV just the Urine RNA separation kit. Either way whoever patents that puppy first is going to have a nice big dog to take to the bank!

 

[leela]

Rich Van K posted on another thread some notes that Dr Cheney had taken during the recent NIH conference. The whole of it is quite interesting, but in terms of this thread, I'll just point out this tidbit:
"Tissue macrophage reservoirs would be analogous with HIV as well. It would seem that bronchial secretions, nasal secretions and sex organ secretions as well as feces and urine are well positioned to help the virus to spread itself to other macaques, especially if activated."
This would indicate that the virus would be detectable in these substances; perhaps more so that blood, since earlier in the notes he mentions that the virus is almost immediately cleared from the blood and stored in almost all organs fo the body (in macaques.) It's quite possible blood is the most difficult way to find this family of viruses.
For those who have not read these notes in their entirety, here's the link:
http://www.forums.aboutmecfs.org/sh...e-XMRV-workshop&highlight=rich+cheney+macaque