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.
Dept of Lab Medicine, KJ Hospital Research and Postgraduate Centre, 927, Poonamallee High Road, Chennai-600 084.
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S
Seethalakshmi
M P
MP
Korath
F
F
Kareem
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K
Jagadeesan
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