Polyethylene Glycol 6000 Precipitation for low-titer virus detection: Optimization Strategies and Mitigation of Inhibitor Interference

Abstract

Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) precipitation has been identified as an efficient pre-analytical procedure for determining the concentration of viral fragments via clinical and natural specimens’ collection, especially in low viral load conditions. The accuracy of viral load, especially by polymerase chain reaction, is necessary to diagnostic of different viral infections. PEG 6000 enhances the analytical sensitivity of post-processing molecular techniques, including polymerase chain reaction, by decreasing the volume of samples and increasing the density of virus particles. This method is particularly useful for wastewater – based epidemiological research as well as for detecting latent or persistent viral infection. Nevertheless, PEG-mediated precipitation processes can co-isolate inhibitor compounds which interact with amplification performance; it requires thoughtful optimization and confirmation, given the benefits. Consequently, PEG 6000 offers an economically feasible and flexible strategy for viral enhancement with significant consequences of improving both the accuracy and sensitivity associated with research as well as medical laboratory diagnostic applications. This review provides a comparative assessment of inhibitor mitigation strategies.v