title: Identification of Francisella tularensis using real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: A Francisella tularensis-specific, TaqMan probe-based, real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay required approximately 60 minutes and consistently achieved a sensitivity of < or = 10 fg of F. tularensis genomic DNA (five genome equivalents). Specificity testing against a genomic DNA cross-reaction panel comprised of 22 bacterial organisms representing closely related species, diverse genera, and human genomic DNA resulted in no false positives of significance. The assay was conducted on a field-deployable thermocycler, the R.A.P.I.D. ("Ruggedized" Advanced Pathogen Identification Device), a microbial identification system that can provide rapid and accurate identification F. tularensis.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Epidemiology, Air Force Institute for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Risk Analysis, 2730 Louis Bauer Drive, Building 930, Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX 78235-5237, USA.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McAvin
authors.forename: Marlana M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Roudabush
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Atchley
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hickman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity