Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) is an isothermal technique that allows the rapid amplification of specific regions of nucleic acid obtained from a diverse range of sources. It is especially suitable for amplifying RNA sequences. A rapid and specific NASBA technique was developed, allowing the detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus genetic material in a range of sample material, including preserved skin biopsy material from infected animals, vaccines prepared from denatured cell-free material, and cell-free antigen-based detection kits. A single pair of DNA oligonuelcotide primers was able to amplify examples of all major FMD virus subtypes. The amplified viral RNA was detected by electrochemiluminescence. The method was at least as sensitive as existing cell-free antigen detection methods. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.