title: Comparative evaluation of conventional and real-time PCR assays for detecting Bacteroides fragilis in clinical samples.
abstract: A conventional PCR and a real-time PCR for detecting Bacteroides fragilis were evaluated against clinical specimens. Analytical sensitivities were 100 and 40 fg of DNA, respectively. Detection limits were 100 and 10 CFU/ml, respectively. A total of six culture-negative specimens were positive by PCR. Altering the gold standard from "positive culture" to "positive culture or both PCR assays positive" resulted in sensitivities of 91.7% and 100%, respectively, and in specificities of 100% and 98.6%, respectively.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. ipapapar@med.uoa.gr
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Papaparaskevas
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Mela
authors: Dimitra P
authors: DP
authors: Houhoula
authors: Angeliki
authors: A
authors: Pantazatou
authors: Georgios L
authors: GL
authors: Petrikkos
authors: Athanassios
authors: A
authors: Tsakris
mesh_terms: D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S