Enhancement of the AMPLICOR enterovirus PCR test with a coprecipitant.
The incorporation of a commercially available coprecipitant into the AMPLICOR enterovirus PCR test specimen preparation enhanced the sensitivity and reproducibility of this assay. Fifty-five previously tested archived cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) specimens were tested in a blind study in duplicate with and without Pellet Paint coprecipitant (Novagen, Inc., Madison, Wis.). Of these specimens, 26 had previously been determined to be positive and 29 had previously been determined to be negative. All previously positive CSF specimens were positive when Pellet Paint was used and only 18 were positive without Pellet Paint. No previously negative specimens were positive on repeat testing with or without Pellet Paint. The background signal was not affected by the addition of Pellet Paint. These data support the utility of a coprecipitant in minimizing false-negative results.
Associated Regional and University Pathologists Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. VIROLOGY@arup-lab.com
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Taggart
C L
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Byington
D R
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Hillyard
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JE
Robison
K C
KC
Carroll
D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data