Direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens using single-tube biotinylated nested polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immunoassay (PCR-ELISA)

W. C. Yam, V. C.C. Cheng, W. T. Hui, L. N. Wang, W. H. Seto, K. Y. Yuen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A biotinylated single-tube nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with microwell hybridization assay (bPCR-ELISA) was developed for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens. A total of 659 specimens (601 respiratory specimens and 58 nonrespiratory specimens) were collected for evaluation using three DNA amplification techniques: newly designed bPCR-ELISA, in-house single-tube nested PCR for IS6110 gene sequence (nPCR), and commercial automated assays, the Cobas Amplicor System from Roche Diagnostic Systems (aPCR). Sixty-four (9.7%) specimens were culture-positive for M. tuberculosis. Eleven (1.7%) specimens culture-positive for nontuberculosis mycobacteria were negative by all three PCR assays. The resolved performance of bPCR-ELISA, nPCR, and aPCR was found at sensitivities of 97%, 94%, and 97%, respectively. All three PCR assays exhibited a 100% specificity. In evaluation of bPCR-ELISA, a clear distinction between PCR-positive and PCR-negative specimens when an OD405 value of 0.6 was chosen as cut-off. With serial dilutions of M. tuberculosis H37Rv DNA, the detection limit of bPCR-ELISA was found to be 0.75 cfu per reaction at OD405 value of 0.6. Our developed bPCR-ELISA provides a highly sensitive and low-costing molecular diagnosis suitable for developing countries with high prevalence of tuberculosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-275
Number of pages5
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume48
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Keywords

  • Enzyme-linked immunoassay
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Polymerase chain reaction

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