A rapid membrane-based viral RNA isolation method for the polymerase chain reaction

Here we describe a rapid membrane-based method for the isolation of RNA from viruses present in serum. The data presented show this membrane-based procedure to be rapid, sensitive and less cumbersome than conventional viral RNA isolation techniques. This membrane-based method was able to detect as few as 6.5 plaque forming units of RNA virus in 100 mu l of serum. This degree of sensitivity should be adequate for the detection of RNA viruses that produce low-level viremias.