Evaluation of DNA Extraction Methods for Use in Combination with SYBR Green I Real-Time PCR To Detect Salmonella enterica Serotype Enteritidis in Poultry

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid, reproducible, and robust method for detecting Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in poultry samples. First, for the extraction and purification of DNA from the preenrichment culture, four methods (boiling, alkaline lysis, Nucleospin, and Dynabeads DNA Direct System I) were compared. The most effective method was then combined with a real-time PCR method based on the double-stranded DNA binding dye SYBR Green I used with the ABI Prism 7700 system. The specificity of the reaction was determined by the melting temperature (T_m) of the amplicon obtained. The experiments were conducted both on samples of chicken experimentally contaminated with serotype Enteritidis and on commercially available poultry samples, which were also used for comparisons with the standard cultural method (i.e., ISO 6579/2001). The results of comparisons among the four DNA extraction methods showed significant differences except for the results from the boiling and Nucleospin methods (the two methods that produced the lowest threshold cycles). Boiling was selected as the preferred extraction method because it is the simplest and most rapid. This method was then combined with SYBR Green I real-time PCR, using primers SEFA-1 and SEFA-2. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the T_m, which was consistently specific for the amplicon obtained; the mean peak T_m obtained with curves specific for serotype Enteritidis was 82.56 ± 0.22°C. The standard curve constructed using the mean threshold cycle and various concentrations of serotype Enteritidis (ranging from 10³ to 10⁸ CFU/ml) showed good linearity (R² = 0.9767) and a sensitivity limit of less than 10³ CFU/ml. The results of this study demonstrate that the SYBR Green I real-time PCR constitutes an effective and easy-to-perform method for detecting serotype Enteritidis in poultry samples.     

Relative Sensitivity of Conventional and Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection of SFG Rickettsia in Blood and Tissue Samples from Laboratory Animals

Studies on the natural transmission cycles of zoonotic pathogens and the reservoir competence of vertebrate hosts require methods for reliable diagnosis of infection in wild and laboratory animals. Several PCR-based applications have been developed for detection of infections caused by Spotted Fever group Rickettsia spp. in a variety of animal tissues. These assays are being widely used by researchers, but they differ in their sensitivity and reliability. We compared the sensitivity of five previously published conventional PCR assays and one SYBR green-based real-time PCR assay for the detection of rickettsial DNA in blood and tissue samples from Rickettsia- infected laboratory animals (n = 87). The real-time PCR, which detected rickettsial DNA in 37.9% of samples, was the most sensitive. The next best were the semi-nested ompA assay and rpoB conventional PCR, which detected as positive 18.4% and 14.9% samples respectively. Conventional assays targeting ompB, gltA and hrtA genes have been the least sensitive. Therefore, we recommend the SYBR green-based real-time PCR as a tool for the detection of rickettsial DNA in animal samples due to its higher sensitivity when compared to more traditional assays.     

Quantitative Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Biofilms by Real-Time PCR

A quantitative method based on a real-time PCR assay to enumerate Listeria monocytogenes in biofilms was developed. The specificity for L. monocytogenes of primers targeting the listeriolysin gene was demonstrated using a SYBR Green I real-time PCR assay. The number of L. monocytogenes detected growing in biofilms was 6 × 10² CFU/cm².     

Detection of Alicyclobacillus spp. in Fruit Juice by Combination of Immunomagnetic Separation and a SYBR Green I Real-Time PCR Assay

An approach based on immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and SYBR Green I real-time PCR (real-time PCR) with species-specific primers and melting curve analysis was proposed as a rapid and effective method for detecting Alicyclobacillus spp. in fruit juices. Specific primers targeting the 16S rDNA sequences of Alicyclobacillus spp. were designed and then confirmed by the amplification of DNA extracted from standard strains and isolates. Spiked samples containing known amounts of target bacteria were used to obtain standard curves; the correlation coefficient was greater than 0.986 and the real-time PCR amplification efficiencies were 98.9%- 101.8%. The detection limit of the testing system was 2.8×10¹ CFU/mL. The coefficient of variation for intra-assay and inter-assay variability were all within the acceptable limit of 5%. Besides, the performance of the IMS-real-time PCR assay was further investigated by detecting naturally contaminated kiwi fruit juice; the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 91.7%, 95.9% and 95.3%, respectively. The established IMS-real-time PCR procedure provides a new method for identification and quantitative detection of Alicyclobacillus spp. in fruit juice.     

Rapid Detection of Vibrio vulnificus in Shellfish and Gulf of Mexico Water by Real-Time PCR

In this paper we describe optimization of SYBR Green I-based real-time PCR parameters and testing of a large number of microbial species with vvh-specific oligonucleotide primers to establish a rapid, specific, and sensitive method for detection of Vibrio vulnificus in oyster tissue homogenate and Gulf of Mexico water (gulf water). Selected oligonucleotide primers for the vvh gene were tested for PCR amplification of a 205-bp DNA fragment with a melting temperature of approximately 87°C for 84 clinical and environmental strains of V. vulnificus. No amplification was observed with other vibrios or nonvibrio strains with these primers. The minimum level of detection by the real-time PCR method was 1 pg of purified genomic DNA or 10² V. vulnificus cells in 1 g of unenriched oyster tissue homogenate or 10 ml of gulf water. It was possible to improve the level of detection to one V. vulnificus cell in samples that were enriched for 5 h. The standard curves prepared from the real-time PCR cycle threshold values revealed that there was a strong correlation between the number of cells in unenriched samples and the number of cells in enriched samples. Detection of a single cell of V. vulnificus in 1 g of enriched oyster tissue homogenate is in compliance with the recent Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference guidelines. The entire detection method, including sample processing, enrichment, and real-time PCR amplification, was completed within 8 h, making it a rapid single-day assay. Rapid and sensitive detection of V. vulnificus would ensure a steady supply of postharvest treated oysters to consumers, which should help decrease the number of illnesses or outbreaks caused by this pathogen.     

Response surface methodology to design a selective enrichment broth for rapid detection of Salmonella spp. by SYBR Green Ι real-time PCR

In order to meet dominant growth of Salmonella spp. in a composed system of five pathogens for accurate detection, designing an appropriate selective enrichment broth was clearly needed. First, we built a high-throughput assay procedure based on SYBR Green Ι real-time PCR, which possessed the necessary specificity for Salmonella spp., a good linear standard curve with typical R ² value (0.9984) and high amplification efficiency (99.0 %). Further, for the larger target biomass in the mixed microflora, acarbose, LiCl and bile salt were selected to optimize their concentrations using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite design was employed to collect the data and fit the response. A quadratic polynomial model was derived by computer simulation. Statistical analysis was carried out to explore the action and interaction of the variables on the response. In the end, a novel broth (Sal-5) was formulated to allow the efficient enrichment of Salmonella spp. and inhibit the growth of other tested strains. A detection platform was developed, including selective enrichment in Sal-5, DNA extraction by the boiling lysis method and real-time PCR test based on SYBR Green Ι. This work could extend the application of RSM and real-time PCR in the design of other selective enrichment media for common pathogens.     

Novel cost-efficient real-time PCR assays for detection and quantitation of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeriosis is a serious food-borne infection with mortality rates approaching 30%. Therefore, the rapid, cost-effective, and automated detection of Listeria monocytogenes throughout the food chain continues to be a major concern. Here we describe three novel quantitative real-time PCR assays for L. monocytogenes based on amplification of a target hlyA gene with SYBR Green I chemistry and hydrolysis probe (TaqMan MGB probe). In order to offer sensitive, rapid and robust tool of additional economical value the real-time PCR assays were designed and optimized to only 5 μl-reactions. All assays were evaluated by using different non-reference Listeria strains isolated from various food matrices. Results demonstrated specificity to L. monocytogenes with accurate quantification over a dynamic range of 5-6 log units with R² higher than 0.98 and amplification efficiencies reaching above 92%. The detection and quantification limits were as low as 165 genome equivalents. Comparison of novel assays to commercially available TaqMan® Listeria monocytogenes Detection Kit and previously published studies revealed similar specificity, sensitivity and efficiency, but greater robustness and especially cost-efficiency in the view of smaller reaction volumes and continuous increase in sample throughput.     

Development and Validation of a Real-Time PCR for Detection of Pathogenic Leptospira Species in Clinical Materials

Available serological diagnostics do not allow the confirmation of clinically suspected leptospirosis at the early acute phase of illness. Several conventional and real-time PCRs for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis have been described but these have been incompletely evaluated. We developed a SYBR Green-based real-time PCR targeting secY and validated it according to international guidelines. To determine the analytical specificity, DNA from 56 Leptospira strains belonging to pathogenic, non-pathogenic and intermediate Leptospira spp. as well as 46 other micro-organisms was included in this study. All the pathogenic Leptospira gave a positive reaction. We found no cross-reaction with saprophytic Leptospira and other micro-organisms, implying a high analytical specificity. The analytical sensitivity of the PCR was one copy per reaction from cultured homologous strain M 20 and 1.2 and 1.5 copy for heterologous strains 1342 K and Sarmin, respectively. In spiked serum & blood and kidney tissue the sensitivity was 10 and 20 copies for M 20, 15 and 30 copies for 1342 K and 30 and 50 copies for Sarmin. To determine the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and specificity (DSp), clinical blood samples from 26 laboratory-confirmed and 107 negative patients suspected of leptospirosis were enrolled as a prospective consecutive cohort. Based on culture as the gold standard, we found a DSe and DSp of 100% and 93%, respectively. All eight PCR positive samples that had a negative culture seroconverted later on, implying a higher actual DSp. When using culture and serology as the gold standard, the DSe was lower (89%) while the DSp was higher (100%). DSe was 100% in samples collected within the first – for treatment important - 4 days after onset of the illness. Reproducibility and repeatability of the assay, determined by blind testing kidney samples from 20 confirmed positive and 20 negative rodents both appeared 100%. In conclusion we have described for the first time the development of a robust SYBR Green real-time PCR for the detection of pathogenic Leptospira combined with a detailed assessment of its clinical accuracy, thus providing a method for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis with a well-defined satisfactory performance.     

Quantitative Detection of Corynebacterium casei in Cheese by Real-Time PCR

The flora on the surface of smear-ripened cheeses is composed of numerous species of bacteria and yeasts that contribute to the production of the desired organoleptic properties. Due to the absence of selective media, it is very difficult to quantify cheese surface bacteria, and, consequently, the ecology of the cheese surface microflora has not been extensively investigated. We developed a SYBR green I real-time PCR method to quantify Corynebacterium casei, a major species of smear-ripened cheeses, using primers designed to target the 16S rRNA gene. It was possible to recover C. casei genomic DNA from the cheese matrix with nearly the same yield that C. casei genomic DNA is recovered from cells recovered by centrifugation from liquid cultures. Quantification was linear over a range from 10⁵ to 10¹⁰ CFU per g of cheese. The specificity of the assay was demonstrated with DNA from species related to C. casei and from other bacteria and yeasts belonging to the cheese flora. Nine commercial cheeses were analyzed by real-time PCR, and six of them were found to contain more than 10⁵ CFU equivalents of C. casei per g. In two of them, the proportion of C. casei in the total bacterial flora was nearly 40%. The presence of C. casei in these samples was further confirmed by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and by a combined approach consisting of plate counting and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We concluded that SYBR green I real-time PCR may be used as a reliable species-specific method for quantification of bacteria from the surface of cheeses.     

SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量RT-PCR测定肠道病毒71型（EV71）RNA拷贝数方法的建立

目的建立SYBR GreenⅠ荧光染料实时定量RT-PCR方法,测定实验动物等来源的EV71病毒RNA。方法运用EV71VP1保守区引物,优化real time RT-PCR条件,运用NASBA方法扩增EV71病毒RNA,计算拷贝数,经10倍系列稀释做出标准曲线,作为EV71病毒RNA定量检测的外标准品。结果应用Qiagen公司QuantiTect SYBR Green RT-PCR Kit,该标准品可精确定量到100copies/μL,PCR扩增效率达到99.5%。结论 SYBRGreenⅠ荧光染料实时定量PCR法测定EV71病毒RNA拷贝数的方法敏感性高、稳定性好,可用于EV71病毒RNA载量的定量测定。     

Modification and optimization of PCR methods for detection of MIE region from human herpesvirus 5

Human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5, formerly known as CMV) is a beta-herpesvirus widely spread within a population. Thus, HHV-5 infections are a serious matter of concern in a group of immunocompromised patients. The goal of the study was modification and optimization of conventional PCR method developed for the detection of HHV-5 DNA to the real-time variant (RTmPCR) and determination of analytical resolution of the modified methods. Thirty plasma samples were tested for the presence of HHV-5 DNA using the LightCycler system with two different methods--one with SYBR Green I fluorochrome method and second one using TaqMan fluorescent probes and a qualitative in-house gel-stained PCR assay using primers that amplify part of HHV-5 MIE gene. The analytical sensitivity of real-time PCR assay was tested using serial dilutions of HHV-5 DNA in range between 10(0) and 10(-6). For comparison typical end-point detected PCR for cytomegalovirus detection with the same DNA dilutions was made. The sensitivity of novel method was about 100-fold higher than older one. Both LightCycler assays detected HHV-5 DNA in 27 samples, also which were negative by the gel-stained PCR. Analysis of the available clinical and serological data associated with these samples suggested that the real-time results in all of these cases were true positive. The conclusion is that real-time PCR methods are more sensitive than the conventional PCR used in this study. The additional sensitivity was valuable for detection of patients with low-copy viremia. The high level of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and rapidity provided by the LightCycler instrument are favorable for the use of this system in the detection of HHV-5 DNA in clinical specimens.     

Evaluation of DNA extraction methods for use in combination with SYBR green I real-time PCR to detect Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis in poultry

The objective of this study was to develop a rapid, reproducible, and robust method for detecting Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in poultry samples. First, for the extraction and purification of DNA from the preenrichment culture, four methods (boiling, alkaline lysis, Nucleospin, and Dynabeads DNA Direct System I) were compared. The most effective method was then combined with a real-time PCR method based on the double-stranded DNA binding dye SYBR Green I used with the ABI Prism 7700 system. The specificity of the reaction was determined by the melting temperature (T(m)) of the amplicon obtained. The experiments were conducted both on samples of chicken experimentally contaminated with serotype Enteritidis and on commercially available poultry samples, which were also used for comparisons with the standard cultural method (i.e., ISO 6579/2001). The results of comparisons among the four DNA extraction methods showed significant differences except for the results from the boiling and Nucleospin methods (the two methods that produced the lowest threshold cycles). Boiling was selected as the preferred extraction method because it is the simplest and most rapid. This method was then combined with SYBR Green I real-time PCR, using primers SEFA-1 and SEFA-2. The specificity of the reaction was confirmed by the T(m), which was consistently specific for the amplicon obtained; the mean peak T(m) obtained with curves specific for serotype Enteritidis was 82.56 +/- 0.22 degrees C. The standard curve constructed using the mean threshold cycle and various concentrations of serotype Enteritidis (ranging from 10(3) to 10(8) CFU/ml) showed good linearity (R(2) = 0.9767) and a sensitivity limit of less than 10(3) CFU/ml. The results of this study demonstrate that the SYBR Green I real-time PCR constitutes an effective and easy-to-perform method for detecting serotype Enteritidis in poultry samples.     

Real-time quantitative PCR detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis and differentiation from other mycobacteria using SYBR Green and TaqMan assays

Sensitive real-time sequence detection methods based on two different chemistries were developed for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), the causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle. One is based on the detection of SYBR Green bound to PCR products and the second method is more specific, detecting the cleavage of a fluorogenic (TaqMan) probe bound to a target sequence during primer extension phase. Novel primers and probes that amplify small fragments (<80 bp) of the Map specific insertion sequence, IS900 were designed. Both the SYBR Green and TaqMan assays are sensitive, able to detect 4 fg of DNA extracted from Map strain ATCC19698. This amount of DNA corresponds to the detection of 0.8 cells. Map cells were quantified directly from 7H9 broth using the SYBR Green assay and compared to dilutions of DNA extracted from an equivalent number of cells. The SYBR Green assay of 7H9 broth resulted in a minimum detectable limit of 0.07 cells (equivalent to 0.34 fg of DNA). Media ingredients were not observed to interfere with the assay. Since no extraction step was necessary in the direct cell measurements, direct detection was ten-fold more sensitive than detection of extracted DNA. Both SYBR Green and TaqMan assays are highly specific for the detection of Map. They did not detect any closely related members of the avium complex, other species of mycobacteria, or related genera that are likely to be present in environmental samples. No reporter signal was detected during TaqMan assays performed with 100 pg of template DNA from the non-Map organisms.     

Performance of Simplexa Dengue Molecular Assay Compared to Conventional and SYBR Green RT-PCR for Detection of Dengue Infection in Indonesia

Diagnostic tests based on detection of dengue virus (DENV) genome are available with varying sensitivities and specificities. The Simplexa Dengue assay (Focus Diagnostics) is a newly developed real-time RT-PCR method designed to detect and serotype DENV simultaneously. To assess the performance of the Simplexa Dengue assay, we performed comparison with conventional RT-PCR and SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR on patients sera isolated from eight cities across Indonesia, a dengue endemic country. A total of 184 sera that were confirmed using NS1 and/or IgM and IgG ELISA were examined. Using conventional and SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR, we detected DENV in 53 (28.8%) and 81 (44.0%) out of 184 sera, respectively. When the Simplexa Dengue assay was employed, the detection rate was increased to 76.6% (141 out of 184 samples). When tested in 40 sera that were confirmed by virus isolation as the gold standard, the conventional RT-PCR yielded 95% sensitivity while the sensitivity of SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR and Simplexa Dengue assay reached 97.5% and 100%, respectively. The specificities of all methods were 100% when tested in 43 non-dengue illness and 20 healthy human samples. Altogether, our data showed the higher detection rate of Simplexa Dengue compared to conventional and SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR in field/surveillance setting. In conclusion, Simplexa Dengue offers rapid and accurate detection and typing of dengue infection and is suitable for both routine diagnostic and surveillance.     

Real-Time Detection and Identification of Chlamydophila Species in Veterinary Specimens by Using SYBR Green-Based PCR Assays

Infections caused by members of the Chlamydiaceae family have long been underestimated due to the requirement of special laboratory facilities for the detection of this group of intracellular pathogens. Furthermore, new studies of this group of intracellular pathogens have revealed that host specificity of different species is not as clear as recently believed. As most members of the genus Chlamydophila have shown to be transmissible from animals to humans, sensitive and fast detection methods are required. In this study, SYBR green-based real-time assays were developed that detect all members of Chlamydiaceae and differentiate the most prevalent veterinary Chlamydophila species: Cp. psittaci, Cp. abortus, Cp. felis, and Cp. caviae. By adding bovine serum albumin to the master mixes, target DNA could be detected directly in crude lysates of enzymatically digested conjunctival or pharyngeal swabs or tissue specimens from heart, liver, and spleen without further purification. The assays were evaluated on veterinary specimens where all samples were screened using a family-specific PCR, and positive samples were further tested using species-specific PCRs. Cp. psittaci was detected in 47 birds, Cp. felis was found in 10 cats, Cp. caviae was found in one guinea pig, and Cp. abortus was detected in one sheep. The screening assay appeared more sensitive than traditional microscopical examination of stained tissue smears. By combining a fast, robust, and cost-effective method for sample preparation with a highly sensitive family-specific PCR, we were able to screen for Chlamydiaceae in veterinary specimens and confirm the species in positive samples with additional PCR assays.     

Establishment and Application of a Dual TaqMan Real-Time PCR Method for Proteus Mirabilis and Proteus Vulgaris

Proteus species are common opportunistic bacteria and foodborne pathogens. The proper detection of Proteus can effectively reduce the occurrence of food-borne public health events. Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris are the two most important pathogens in the Proteus genus. In this study, a dual TaqMan Real-Time PCR method was established to simultaneously detect and distinguish P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in samples. The method exhibited good specificity, stability, and sensitivity. Specifically, the minimum detection concentrations of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in pure bacterial cultures were 6.08 × 10² colony forming units (CFU)/ml and 4.46 × 10² CFU/ml, respectively. Additionally, the minimum detectable number of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris in meat and milk was 10³ CFU/g. In addition, the method can be used to distinguish between strains of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris within two hours. Overall, it is a sensitive, easy-to-use, and practical test for the identification and classification of Proteus in food.Key words: Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, TaqMan Real-Time PCR, food-borne pathogens, food poisoning     

Development of a single-tube duplex EvaGreen real-time PCR for the detection and identification of EHV-1 and EHV-4

The objective of this study was to develop a novel EvaGreen (EG) based real-time PCR technique for the simultaneous detection of Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and Equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4) genomes from equine nasal swabs. Viral genomes were identified based on their specific melting temperatures (T _m), which are 88.0 and 84.4 °C for EHV-1 and EHV-4, respectively. The detection limitation of this method was 50 copies/μl or 0.15 pg/μl for EHV-1 and 5 copies/μl or 2.5 fg/μl for EHV-4. This assay was 50–1,000 times more sensitive than the SYBR Green (SG)-based assay using the same primer pairs and as sensitive as the TaqMan-MGB probe-based assay. The validity of the real-time PCR assays was confirmed by testing 13 clinical samples. When all results of the EG, SG, and TaqMan probe-based singleplex and duplex real-time PCRs were considered together, a total of 84.6 % (11/13) horses and donkeys were positive for at least one virus. EHV-1 and EHV-4 coexisted in 81.8 % (9/11) horses. Overall, we report that the EvaGreen duplex real-time PCR is an economical and alternative diagnostic method for the rapid differentiation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in nasal swabs.     

An Optimized SYBR Green I/PI Assay for Rapid Viability Assessment and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing for Borrelia burgdorferi

Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi is the most common tick-borne disease in the US and Europe. Unlike most bacteria, measurements of growth and viability of B. burgdorferi are challenging. The current B. burgdorferi viability assays based on microscopic counting and PCR are cumbersome and tedious and cannot be used in a high throughput format. Here, we evaluated several commonly used viability assays including MTT and XTT assays, fluorescein diacetate assay, Sytox Green/Hoechst 33342 assay, the commercially available LIVE/DEAD BacLight assay, and SYBR Green I/PI assay by microscopic counting and by automated 96-well plate reader for rapid viability assessment of B. burgdorferi. We found that the optimized SYBR Green I/PI assay based on green to red fluorescence ratio is superior to all the other assays for measuring the viability of B. burgdorferi in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, reliability, and speed in automated 96-well plate format and in comparison with microscopic counting. The BSK-H medium which produced a high background for the LIVE/DEAD BacLight assay did not affect the SYBR Green I/PI assay, and the viability of B. burgdorferi culture could be directly measured using a microtiter plate reader. The SYBR Green I/PI assay was found to reliably assess the viability of planktonic as well as biofilm B. burgdorferi and could be used as a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test. Thus, the SYBR Green I/PI assay provides a more sensitive, rapid and convenient method for evaluating viability and antibiotic susceptibility of B. burgdorferi and can be used for high-throughput drug screens.     

Comparison of multiple DNA dyes for real-time PCR: effects of dye concentration and sequence composition on DNA amplification and melting temperature

The importance of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has increased steadily in clinical applications over the last decade. Many applications utilize SYBR Green I dye to follow the accumulation of amplicons in real time. SYBR Green I has, however, a number of limitations that include the inhibition of PCR, preferential binding to GC-rich sequences and effects on melting curve analysis. Although a few alternative dyes without some of these limitations have been recently proposed, no large-scale investigation into the properties of intercalating dyes has been performed. In this study, we investigate 15 different intercalating DNA dyes for their inhibitory effects on PCR, effects on DNA melting temperature and possible preferential binding to GC-rich sequences. Our results demonstrated that in contrast to the results of SYBR Green I, two intercalating dyes SYTO-13 and SYTO-82 do not inhibit PCR, show no preferential binding to GC rich sequences and do not influence melting temperature, T_m, even at high concentrations. In addition, SYTO-82 demonstrated a 50-fold lower detection limit in a dilution series assay. In conclusion, the properties of SYTO-82 and SYTO-13 will simplify the development of multiplex assays and increase the sensitivity of real-time PCR.