Respiratory contamination of polymerase chain reactions by human herpesvirus 6.
Human herpesvirus type 6 DNA derived from human breath was discovered to contaminate PCR reactions during routine reaction preparation. Parallel PCR experiments were conducted in which expiratory secretions were blocked by a surgical mask, while others were performed without any attempt to circumvent respiratory contamination. The experimenter was previously determined to harbor HHV-6 DNA in the saliva. All reactions in which expiration was obstructed were negative for HHV-6 DNA via PCR. Reactions in which there was no attempt to obstruct respiratory secretions were positive for HHV-6 DNA. These data suggest that PCR assays investigating the presence of HHV-6 may be highly susceptible to contamination from the experimenter leading to false positive results.
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.
P K
PK
Kelley
K L
KL
McClain
D000336:Aerosols; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012119:Respiration; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology
D000336:Aerosols; D004279:DNA, Viral