title: Optimization and clinical validation of a pathogen detection microarray.
abstract: DNA microarrays used as 'genomic sensors' have great potential in clinical diagnostics. Biases inherent in random PCR-amplification, cross-hybridization effects, and inadequate microarray analysis, however, limit detection sensitivity and specificity. Here, we have studied the relationships between viral amplification efficiency, hybridization signal, and target-probe annealing specificity using a customized microarray platform. Novel features of this platform include the development of a robust algorithm that accurately predicts PCR bias during DNA amplification and can be used to improve PCR primer design, as well as a powerful statistical concept for inferring pathogen identity from probe recognition signatures. Compared to real-time PCR, the microarray platform identified pathogens with 94% accuracy (76% sensitivity and 100% specificity) in a panel of 36 patient specimens. Our findings show that microarrays can be used for the robust and accurate diagnosis of pathogens, and further substantiate the use of microarray technology in clinical diagnostics.
authors.affiliation: Genomic Technologies, Genome Institute of Singapore, Republic of Singapore. wongc@gis.a-star.edu.sg
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Charlie Lee Wah
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Heng
authors.forename: Leong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wan Yee
authors.forename: Shirlena W L
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.forename: Cissy B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Kartasasmita
authors.forename: Eric A F
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Simoes
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hibberd
authors.forename: Wing-Kin
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Lance D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D020635:Buchnera / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial