title: [Validation of a PCR technique for the detection of enteroagreggative Escherichia coli causing traveler's diarrhea].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Internacional, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Blázquez
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nataro
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gascón i Brustenga
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial