The Multiplex Virus Assay is perfect for identifying viral infection. At the time we designed this multiplex assay, HLVd, LCV, and CCV were the only viruses with published and peer-reviewed data supporting their infection of cannabis and hemp plants.
The PathoSEEK® Cannabis Virus Multiplex Detection Assay A is a reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR or QRT-PCR) assay that screens for the presence of Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd), Lettuce Chlorosis Virus (LCV), and Cannabis Cryptic Virus (CCV).
Why did Medicinal Genomics choose these three viruses to multiplex?
At the time we designed this multiplex assay, HLVd, LCV, and CCV were the only viruses with published and peer-reviewed data supporting their infection of cannabis and hemp plants. These papers are linked below.
- Occurrence of Hop Latent Viroid Causing Disease in Cannabis sativa in California
- Lettuce Chlorosis Virus Disease: A New Threat to Cannabis Production
- Cannabis Cryptic Virus is mistaken for "hemp streak" disease
Additional papers have since confirmed these findings while also identifying other viruses like Tobacco Streak Virus that can infect cannabis.
First Insights Into the Virus and Viroid Communities in Hemp (Cannabis sativa)
HLVd and LCV are two of the most common viruses that affect cannabis growers. CCV is less known to the community and often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. We anticipate increased demand for both LCV and CCV testing and wanted to multiplex these assays in with the HLVd assay to offer three assays for the price of one.
Please see our case study for information about how this assay can help improve yield.
Learn More about Hop Latent Viroid
Do I have to run all three assays?
All three targets are tested in a single PCR reaction. Like all PathoSEEK® assays, an internal cannabis control is multiplexed into the assay and utilizes the HEX optical channel. If only one of the assays is needed and there is no interest in another, the user can simply skip adding the positive control for that assay, saving reagents. However, as we stated above, we expect the market to demand LCV and CCV testing in the future as more information and research about what viruses affect cannabis is circulated.
Am I paying three times as much?
No. A singleplex virus assay would not be three times less expensive. Offering these three assays as a multiplex allows us certain efficiencies in manufacturing and we pass those onto the consumer to be competitive with other virus testing technologies on the market.
Do you have other virus assays?
Yes. We have several others in development including (in no particular order):
- Tobacco Mosaic Virus
- Tobacco Streak Virus
- Hops Mosaic Virus
- Beet Curly Top Virus
- Tobacco Ring Spot Virus
- Cucumber Mosaic Virus
- Arabis Mosaic Virus
If there are virus assays that you think we should add to our list or you have any immediate need for any of the above assays, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at sales@medicinalgenomics.com, and we can schedule a call with our team to discuss.
All Medicinal Genomics reagents are manufactured in a facility certified to ISO 9001 standards. All lots of reagents are functionally tested in-house and Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available upon request.