Methods and compositions for detection of segmented negative strand RNA viruses

A method for detecting the presence, absence, or quantity of a segmented negative strand virus in a biological sample suspected of comprising the segmented negative strand RNA virus, the method comprising:

• a) providing a genetically engineered vertebrate cell comprising a recombinant DNA molecule that comprises in 5′ to 3′ order:
• a promoter for a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase;
• a transcription initiation site for the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase;
• a DNA sequence encoding an artificial segment comprising a cDNA of a 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of a segmented negative strand RNA virus, a reporter gene encoding a polypeptide, and a cDNA of a 3′ UTR of a segmented negative strand RNA virus;
• and
• a transcription termination site,
• wherein said promoter, said transcription initiation site, said artificial segment, and said transcription termination site are operably linked, and wherein expression of the polypeptide depends upon the presence in the cell of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the virus suspected of being comprised by the sample and wherein the cell lacks at least one nucleocapsid protein of the virus;
• b) contacting the cell with a biological specimen suspected of comprising the virus;
• and
• c) detecting the absence, presence, or quantity of the polypeptide encoded by the reporter gene, thereby indicating the absence, presence, or quantity, respectively, of the virus suspected of being comprised by the sample.