Paper-based archiving of biological samples from fish for detecting betanodavirus

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of the Flinders Technology Associates (FTA ® ) card (Whatman ® ) as a sampling device and storage platform for RNA from betanodavirus-infected biological samples ( viz ., larvae, broodstock, cell culture supernatants and rearing seawater spiked with infected materials). The study showed that FTA cards can be used to detect betanodaviruses by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The diagnostic efficiency of RT-PCR from all sample types on FTA cards decreased after 21 days of storage at 4 °C, although the virus could be detected up to 28 days by nested RT-PCR. The FTA card protocol thus provides a supplementary method for quick and easy collection of samples, preservation of RNA on a dry storage basis, and detection of betanodavirus-infected fish.