Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction in 301 biological samples--a comparative study.
A repetitive target sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a total of 301 clinical samples. Sputum, blood, pleural fluid, and bronchial lavage specimen were taken from clinically suspected causes of tuberculosis and processed for the diagnosis of tuberculosis using a simplified procedure of DNA extraction. PCR was positive in a total of 58 samples (58/301--19.3%). A significant number of smear and culture negative cases of tuberculosis were PCR positive (37/174--21.26%). This finding, combined with the absence of either false positive or false negative results reflects the greater usefulness of this technique.
Seethalakshmi
S
S
Dept of Lab Medicine, KJ Hospital Research and Postgraduate Centre, 927, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai-600 084.
Korath
M P
MP
Kareem
F
F
Jagadeesan
K
K
D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial