Abstract: Objective To establish a method for RT-PCR detection of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and provide a rapid method for monitoring the daily production process of mice.Methods The total RNA form mouse colon tissue was extracted.The first strand cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription reaction.Then using the cDNA as the template,a DNA fragment of MHV was amplified by PCR with four pairs of specific primers.The PCR reaction conditions (including primers,primer concentration,annealing temperature,template concentration,etc.) were optimized.Results The two pairs of MHV primers were effective and specific.The PCR results of these two pairs of primers were consistent with the results of ELISA.Conclusion The RT-PCR detection method of MHV was specific and relatively simple.It can be used as a rapid method for MHV detection in the production process of mice.

Key words: Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), RT-PCR, Diagnostic methods