title: Broad-range PCR: past, present, or future of bacteriology?
abstract: PCR targeting the gene encoding 16S ribosomal RNA (commonly named broad-range PCR or 16S PCR) has been used for 20 years as a polyvalent tool to study prokaryotes. Broad-range PCR was first used as a taxonomic tool, then in clinical microbiology. We will describe the use of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology. The first application was identification of bacterial strains obtained by culture but whose phenotypic or proteomic identification remained difficult or impossible. This changed bacterial taxonomy and allowed discovering many new species. The second application of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology is the detection of bacterial DNA from clinical samples; we will review the clinical settings in which the technique proved useful (such as endocarditis) and those in which it did not (such as characterization of bacteria in ascites, in cirrhotic patients). This technique allowed identifying the etiological agents for several diseases, such as Whipple disease. This review is a synthesis of data concerning the applications, assets, and drawbacks of broad-range PCR in clinical microbiology.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de bactériologie-hygiène, faculté de médecine Pierre-et-Marie-Curie Paris-6, site Pitié-Salpêtrière, 91, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75634 Paris cedex 13, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renvoisé
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brossier
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sougakoff
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jarlier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aubry
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D001432:Bacteriology / Q000639:trends*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D021521:Ribotyping / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: 16S ribosomal RNA; ARN ribosomal 16S; Broad-range PCR; Diagnostic moléculaire; Molecular diagnosis; PCR universelle