title: Rapid identification of clinically relevant Nocardia species using real-time PCR with SYBR Green and melting-curve analysis.
abstract: The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a rapid new method of identifying clinically relevant Nocardia species. DNA extracted from different Nocardia strains was used in a real-time PCR assay with SYBR Green and melting-curve analysis to identify Nocardia species. Ten control strains and four bacterial strains of closely related genera were employed, and samples from 28 patients were used. All Nocardia strains were identified correctly, and there was no cross-reaction with strains from genera closely related to Nocardia. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were 90 and 100 %, respectively. This method can be used to rapidly detect Nocardia species in culture, without cross-reaction with other closely related genera.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Microbiology Division, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Mubarak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfaresi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine - Microbiology Division, Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Abida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elkosh
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009615:Nocardia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S