Evaluation of two multiplex real-time PCR screening capabilities for the detection of Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis in blood samples generated from murine infection models.
Two multiplex PCR screening capabilities (TaqMan Array Cards and FilmArray) were evaluated for their ability to detect Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis in blood samples obtained from respective murine infection models. Blood samples were obtained from infected mice at 24 h intervals after exposure. Multiplex PCR results were compared with standard blood culture and singleplex real-time PCR. Across all three models, 71 mice were tested in total, within which a subset of 43 samples was shown to contain an infecting agent by at least one of the detection technologies. Within this subset of positive samples, for each model studied, the detection rates of each technology were compared. The B. anthracis model blood culture (14 of 15 agent-containing samples tested) and FilmArray PCR (12 of 15) were shown to have equivalent detection rates, which were significantly higher (at the 95 % confidence level) than singleplex (five of 14) or Array Card (two of 14) PCRs. The F. tularensis model blood culture (12 of 12) was shown to have a significantly higher (at 95 % confidence level) detection rate than all PCR technologies, with FilmArray (seven of 11) and singleplex (seven of 12) PCRs shown to have significantly higher (at 95 % confidence level) detection rates than the Array Card PCR (two of 11). Within the Y. pestis model, there was no significant difference in detection rates between blood culture (10 of 16), singleplex PCR (14 of 16), Array Card PCR (10 of 16) and FilmArray PCR (10 of 13).
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Simon A
SA
Weller
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Victoria
V
Cox
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Angela
A
Essex-Lopresti
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Margaret G
MG
Hartley
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Tanya M
TM
Parsons
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Phillip A
PA
Rachwal
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Helen L
HL
Stapleton
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK.
Roman A
RA
Lukaszewski
D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D058491:Bacterial Load; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D010930:Plague / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014406:Tularemia / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial