[Validation of a PCR technique for the detection of enteroagreggative Escherichia coli causing traveler's diarrhea].
BACKGROUND
Detection of enteroaggregative strains of Escherichia coli (EAEC) by the gold standard technique (cellular adherence) is difficult to implement in routine clinical practice.


METHODS
The gold standard was compared with a PCR method for this purpose.


RESULTS
With respect to the cellular adherence technique, PCR performance was as follows: sensitivity 0.93, specificity 1, positive predictive value 1, and negative predictive value 0.91.


CONCLUSIONS
The PCR method studied is a viable alternative for routine detection of EAEC strains.
Ruiz-Blázquez
Joaquim
J
Centro de Salud Internacional, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
Vargas
Martha
M
Nataro
James P
JP
Vila
Jordi
J
Gascón i Brustenga
Joaquim
J
D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D002460:Cell Line; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014195:Travel
D004269:DNA, Bacterial