Development of a multiplex assay to measure the effects of shipping and storage conditions on the quality of RNA used in molecular assays for detection of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus.

Abstract In routine diagnostics, real-time reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has become a powerful method for fish health screening. Collection, transportation, and storage conditions of specimens could dramatically affect their integrity and could consequently affect RT-qPCR test results. In this study, to assess the expression profile of elongation factor 1 alpha (ELF-1α) gene, head kidney (HK) tissues from Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar were exposed at room temperature, 4°C, -20°C, and -80°C as well as in 70% ethanol for 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h.