Evaluation of negative results of BacT/Alert 3D automated blood culture system

Although automated continuous-monitoring blood culture systems are both rapid and sensitive, false-positive and false-negative results still occur. The objective of this study, then, was to evaluate negative results occurring with BacT/Alert 3D blood culture systems. A total of 1032 samples were cultured with the BacT/Alert 3D automated blood culture system, using both aerobic (FA) and anaerobic (FN) [corrected] media, and 128 of these samples yielded positive results. A total of 904 negative blood samples were then subcultured in 5% sheep blood agar, eosin methylene blue, chocolate agar, and sabouraud-dextrose agar. Organisms growing on these subcultures were subsequently identified using both Vitek32 (bioMerieux, Durham, NC) and conventional methods. Twenty four (2.6%) of the 904 subcultures grew on the subculture media. The majority (83.3%) of these were determined to be gram-positive microorganisms. Fourteen (58.3%) were coagulase-negative staphylococci, two (8.3%) were Bacillus spp., one (4.2%) was Staphylococcus aureus, and one (4.2%) was identified as Enterococcus faecium. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria spp. were isolated together in two (8.3%) vials. Gram-negative microorganisms comprised 12.5% of the subcultures, of which two (8.3%) were found to be Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and one (4.2%) was Pseudomonas fluorescens. The other isolate (4.2%) was identified as Candida albicans. We conclude that the subculture of negative results is valuable in the BacT/Alert 3D system, especially in situations in which only one set of blood cultures is taken.     

BacT／Aler3D全自动血培养仪的临床应用及评价

目的评价全自动血培养仪BacT／Aler3D的临床应用情况。方法对BacT／Aler3D全自动血培养仪检测的1853份标本,其检出的阳性率、病原菌种类及阳性检出时间进行了评估。结果1853份血培养分离出病原菌189株,阳性率为10．2％,分离出病原菌23种,最快检出时间为2h,24h以内阳性率为68．5％,48h内阳性率为87．3％,72h以内阳性率为92．3％。结论BacT／Aler3D全自动血培养仪提高血培养的阳性率,检出的细菌种类多,污染机会少,缩短阳性检出时间,而且操作简便,结果快速、准确。     

Comparison of the utility of five commercial kits for extraction of DNA from Aspergillus fumigatus spores

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of DNA extraction from water as well as from blood samples spiked with A. fumigatus spores, using selected commercial kits. Extraction of DNA according to manufacturer's protocols was preceded by blood cells lysis and disruption of fungal cells by enzymatic digestion or bead beating. The efficiency of DNA extraction was measured by PCR using Aspergillus-specific primers and SYBR Green I dye or TaqMan probes targeting 28S rRNA gene. All methods allowed the detection of Aspergillus at the lowest tested density of water suspensions of spores (101 cells/ml). The highest DNA yield was obtained using the ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA kit, YeastStar Genomic DNA kit, and QIAamp DNA Mini kit with mechanical cell disruption. The ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA and YeastStar kits showed the highest sensitivity in examination of blood samples spiked with Aspergillus (100 % for the detection of 102 spores and 75 % for 101 spores). Recently, the enzymatic method ceased to be recommended for examination of blood samples for Aspergillus, thus ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA kit and QIAamp DNA Mini kit with mechanical cell disruption could be used for extraction of Aspergillus DNA from clinical samples.     

Detection and quantification of Streptomyces violaceolatus plasmid DNA in soil

Two methods for the direct extraction of DNA from soil were investigated using soil inoculated with Streptomyces violaceolatus ISP5438 harbouring the multicopy plasmid pIJ673. Detection limits for plasmid DNA were determined by Southern blot technique. An SDS/heat lysis method gave approximately two orders of magnitude less sensitivity than lysis and extraction by bead-beating soil inoculated with spores. The use of these two methods allowed differentiation between spore- and mycelial-borne DNA. This was due to the resistance of the spores to lysis when subjected to SDS/heat lysis.     

快速、高效的羊绒羊毛织品DNA提取方法的建立

目的：建立一种快速、高效的羊绒羊毛纺织品DNA提取的方法。方法：采用chelex-100法的3种处理、试剂盒法分别提取羊绒羊毛织品的DNA,用18S rDNA片段、山羊和绵羊源性成分PCR扩增结果来比较提取效果。结果：试剂盒法提取DNA的效果优于chelex-100法,整个提取过程约需2h。9种供试材料均提取到DNA,且含有山羊和/或绵羊源性成分,与显微镜观察结果的符合率为100%。结论：建立的试剂盒法是一种快速、高效的适用于羊绒羊毛织品DNA提取的方法,为应用分子生物学方法鉴别山羊绒和绵羊毛奠定了基础。     

On-line cell lysis of bacteria and its spores using a microfluidic biochip

Optimal detection of pathogens by molecular methods in water samples depends on the ability to extract DNA rapidly and efficiently. In this study, an innovative method was developed using a microfluidic biochip, produced by microelectrochemical system technology, and capable of performing online cell lysis and DNA extraction during a continuous flow process. On-chip cell lysis based on chemical/physical methods was performed by employing a sufficient blend of water with the lysing buffer. The efficiency of lysis with microfluidic biochip was compared with thermal lysis in Eppendorf tubes and with two commercial DNA extraction kits: Power Water DNA isolation kit and ForensicGEM Saliva isolation kit in parallel tests. Two lysing buffers containing 1% Triton X-100 or 5% Chelex were assessed for their lysis effectiveness on a microfluidic biochip. SYBR Green real-time PCR analysis revealed that cell lysis on a microfluidic biochip using 5% Chelex buffer provided better or comparable recovery of DNA than commercial isolation kits. The system yielded better results for Gram-positive bacteria than for Gram-negative bacteria and spores of Gram-positive bacteria, within the limits of detection at 10³ CFU/ml. During the continuous flow process in the system, rapid cells lysis with PCR-amplifiable genomic DNA were achieved within 20 minutes.     

番茄加工产品DNA提取方法研究

采用SDS法、CTAB法、热碱法和试剂盒法提取番茄加工产品的DNA,并通过PCR方法是否检测出番茄内源基因来评价DNA提取效果.结果显示,番茄加工产品经弱碱稀释处理后,CTAB法和热碱法提取的DNA利用嵌套PCR检测出内源基因,可以满足基因检测需求.同时对加工产品DNA提取及基因检测需注意的问题进行了探讨.     

A comparison of five methods for extraction of bacterial DNA from human faecal samples

The purity of DNA extracted from faecal samples is a key issue in the sensitivity and usefulness of biological analyses such as PCR for infectious pathogens and non-pathogens. We have compared the relative efficacy of extraction of bacterial DNA (both Gram negative and positive origin) from faeces using four commercial kits (FastDNA kit, Bio 101; Nucleospin C+T kit, Macherey-Nagal; Quantum Prep Aquapure Genomic DNA isolation kit, Bio-Rad; QIAamp DNA stool mini kit, Qiagen) and a non-commercial guanidium isothiocyanate/silica matrix method. Human faecal samples were spiked with additional known concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bacteroides uniformis, the DNA was then extracted by each of the five methods, and tested in genus-specific PCRs. The Nucleospin method was the most sensitive procedure for the extraction of DNA from a pure bacterial culture of Gram-positive L. acidophilus (10(4) bacteria/PCR), and QIAamp and the guanidium method were most sensitive for cultures of Gram-negative B. uniformis (10(3) bacteria/PCR). However, for faecal samples, the QIAamp kit was the most effective extraction method and led to the detection of bacterial DNA over the greatest range of spike concentrations for both B. uniformis and L. acidophilus in primary PCR reactions. A difference in extraction efficacy was observed between faecal samples from different individuals. The use of appropriate DNA extraction kits or methods is critical for successful and valid PCR studies on clinical, experimental or environmental samples and we recommend that DNA extraction techniques are carefully selected with particular regard to the specimen type.     

Isolation of bacterial artificial chromosome DNA by means of improved alkaline lysis and double potassium acetate precipitation

This work describes an easy alkaline lysis method for isolatating bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA in sufficient quantity and quality for further manipulation without the need to use a kit. The method starts with 10 mL of culture and, by alkaline lysis only, renders up to 150 ng of DNA per milliliter of culture. This BAC DNA was successfully digested with restriction enzymes, sequenced, and subjected to PCR.     

人体蠕形螨的DNA提取与随机引物PCR检测

【目的】探索人体毛囊蠕形螨和皮脂蠕形螨DNA的提取方法。【方法】采用液氮反复冻融研磨法破碎螨体细胞, 选用改良小昆虫DNA提取法、碱裂解法和试剂盒提取法, 分别提取冻存时间在5个月内和8~10个月的毛囊蠕形螨和皮脂蠕形螨基因组DNA, 并用随机引物PCR方法进行检测。【结果】蛋白核酸测定仪检测结果显示, 试剂盒法提取的DNA纯度较高、量较多, 明显优于改良小昆虫法和碱裂解法。随机引物扩增结果显示清晰的DNA指纹图谱, 两种人体蠕形螨DNA指纹具有明显差异。蠕形螨冻存时间影响DNA提取的量, 但对DNA提取的纯度和RAPD指纹图谱影响较小。不同DNA提取方法提取的同一种蠕形螨DNA指纹图谱基本相似, 试剂盒法和改良小昆虫法提取的DNA样本条带多而清晰, 碱裂解法提取的样本条带少而模糊。【结论】液氮反复冻融研磨法破碎蠕形螨细胞是有效的, 蠕形螨冻存时间不宜超过6个月, 试剂盒提取法是提取蠕形螨DNA的好方法。RAPD技术可以用于这两种人体蠕形螨DNA分子水平上的检测和分类。     

Extraction of geminiviral DNA from a highly mucilaginous plant (Abelmoschus esculentus)

A protocol is described for the extraction of geminiviral DNA from bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus-infectedAbelmoschus esculentus (known as bhendi or okra) containing high amounts of mucilage and other phenolic compounds. This method involves extraction with a buffer containing sodium citrate at pH 6 and PEG precipitation of the virus followed by alkali lysis. The extraction buffer eliminates the mucilage and other polyphenols, PEG precipitates the viral particles and DNA and the alkali lysis enriches the replicative forms of the viral DNA. The extracted DNA could be digested with restriction enzymes and cloned without any interference from chromosomal DNA. The quality of the DNA extracted by this method was compared to three other common plant DNA extraction protocols and was found superior. This method was used for PCR amplification and cloning of the 2.7 kbp DNA-A of BYVMV.     

An optimized DNA extraction and purification method from dairy manure compost for genetic diversity analysis

An unbiased DNA extraction protocol is necessary for analysis of genetic diversity, particularly, of genes in complex environmental samples by nucleic acid techniques. In the present study, three manual extraction methods and two commonly used commercial kits, which were accompanied by two DNA purification strategies, were compared based on cell lysis efficiency, DNA and humic acid yields, PCR amplification and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis. The results show that in spite of higher cell lysis efficiencies of the two commercial kits, the purified DNA yields were only one-third of that obtained by the two manual methods of FTSP (Freeze–thaw–SDS–Protein K) and FTSPP (Freeze–thaw–SDS–Protein K-Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone). The purified DNA from all five methods was pure enough for successful PCR and real-time PCR amplifications in the presence of 1 μg μL^?1 BSA. However, the FTSPP extraction method with DNA purification by a Wizard^® kit yielded the largest number of 16S rRNA gene copies and ribotypes or bands in DGGE profiles, which indicated a superiority over the other four methods. The development of this optimized DNA extraction and purification method may provide a valuable tool for further molecular analysis of compost.     

Highly sensitive and specific PCR assay for reliable detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts

Multiple outbreaks of food-borne gastroenteritis caused by the coccidian parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis have been reported annually in North America since 1995. Detection of C. cayetanensis contamination typically relies on laborious and subjective microscopic examination of produce washes. Molecular detection methods based on nested PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism, or multiplex PCR have been developed for C. cayetanensis; however, they have not been adequately validated for use on food products. Further challenges include reliably extracting DNA from coccidian oocysts since their tough outer wall is resistant to lysis and overcoming PCR inhibitors in sample matrices. We describe preliminary validation of a reliable DNA extraction method for C. cayetanensis oocysts and a sensitive and specific novel PCR assay. The sensitivity and repeatability of the developed methods were evaluated by multiple DNA extractions and PCR amplifications using 1,000-, 100-, 10-, or 1-ooycst aliquots of C. cayetanensis oocysts in water or basil wash sediment. Successful PCR amplification was achieved on 15 and 5 replicates extracted from aliquots containing 1,000 oocysts in water and basil wash, respectively. All 45 replicates of the 100-oocyst aliquots in water and 5 in basil wash were amplified successfully, as were 43/45 and 41/45 of the 10- and 1-oocyst aliquots in water and 9/15 and 2/15 in basil wash, respectively. The developed primers showed no cross-reactivity when tested against bacteria, nematodes, and protozoans, including Eimeria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Our results indicate that these methods are specific, can reliably detect a single oocyst, and overcome many of the limitations of microscopic diagnosis.     

一种改良的植物基因组DNA通用提取方法

高质量的基因组DNA是分子生物学研究的基础,而从富含糖类和次生代谢物且异质性强的植物材料中分离DNA相对困难。本方法在CTAB法和商业DNA提取试剂盒的基础上,在裂解细胞之前,对植物材料进行预处理．去除干扰DNA提取的代谢物,并在后续步骤中进行了一些优化。该方法适于多种不同的植物种类,所提取的基因组DNA质量较好,能满足下一步基因操作的要求,是一种通用的植物基因组DNA提取方法。     

Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Xanthomonas fragariae by Simple Alkaline DNA Extraction and the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Methods for DNA preparation from Xanthomonas fragariae in infected or artificially contaminated strawberry plants were compared in diagnostic assays using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The bacterium was detected using PCR with primers specific to a region of its hrp gene. Sensitivity of detection was 1.25 ×l 10³ CFU ml^-1 using DNA from bacterial suspensions prepared by an alkali extraction method. This was 10-fold more sensitive than DNA extraction by boiling, and was equal to that in which DNA was prepared by a more involved cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) procedure. Sensitivity of detection from artificially contaminated strawberry tissues was 10-fold less than that from cell suspensions. The results indicated that a rapid and simple method of alkali DNA sample preparation is applicable for the sensitive and reliable detection of X. fragariae and possibly other plant pathogenic bacteria.     

Epidemiology of bloodstream infections and time to detection of positive blood cultures: an evaluation of the automated BacT/Alert and BACTEC 9240 systems

Data of 3,097 blood culture sets processed with the BacT/Alert system in 1997 were compared to those of 3,158 blood culture sets processed with BACTEC 9240 in 1999. Agents responsible for bloodstream infections (BSI) were detected in 15.9% and 20.0% of blood cultures in 1997 and 1999, respectively. The incidence of BSI was 9.3 (1997) vs. 11.3 (1999) per 1,000 admissions. In both years, S. aureus was the most frequent isolate, followed by E. coli. Overall, the mean detection time (MDT) obtained with the BACTEC 9240 was significantly shorter than that of the BacT/Alert. Significant MDT differences were found for all organisms, except for Enterobacteriaceae (12.7 vs. 10.6 h). With both systems, over 95% positive samples were detected within 3 days, indicating that a 4-day incubation protocol may disclose most BSI agents. Thus, the added speed of the BACTEC 9240 allowed a particularly fast clinical management of septic patients.     

非损伤性方法的建立及其在亚洲黑熊分子遗传学研究中的应用

哺乳动物野生群体和濒危物种的分子遗传学研究长期以来受到组织样品来源的限制。因为传统的分析方法,如蛋白质电泳、ＤＮＡ限制性片段长度多态及ＤＮＡ序列分析等,需要采集诸如血液、肌肉、肝脏、心脏、肾脏和脾脏等组织材料以提取足量的蛋白质和ＤＮＡ。而这又常常涉及捕捉、损伤甚至杀死动物。本工作探索建立一种非损伤性的途径以解决这一困难。我们采用Ｂｉｏ—Ｒａｄ公司“ＩｎｓｔａＧｅｎｅＰｕｒｉｆｉｃａｔｉｏｎＭａｔｒｉｘ”从遗落于地上的亚洲黑熊单根毛发样品中提取出基因组ＤＮＡ。这种方法简便、快速,仅需一个步骤──在该试剂中以１００℃裂解细胞。不必再经酚和氯仿抽提。我们用ＰＣＲ技术从这种毛发ＤＮＡ中扩增了线粒体细胞色素ｂ基因片段,并测定了该片段的ＤＮＡ序列。我们的工作为开展亚洲黑熊及其他哺乳动物野生群体的分子遗传学研究奠定了基础。     

临床标本细菌基因组DNA提取方法探讨

目的优化细菌基因组DNA提取方法,使其适合临床细菌分子生物学检测需要。方法分别采用专用DNA提取液法、热裂解法、溶菌酶法、热裂解法与碱性裂解法组合改良法,对纯培养细菌和临床标本中细菌基因组DNA进行提取。结果专用DNA提取液法、溶菌酶法提取成功率为100%,热裂解法革兰阳性菌提取成功率为0%,革兰阴性菌成功率为100%,碱性裂解液法在NaOH浓度大于4 mmol时提取成功,临床标本在NaOH溶液超过20 mmol/L并含2%SDS时细菌基因组DNA的提取成功率为100%。结论热裂解法与碱性裂解法组合改良法提取细菌基因组DNA方便快速、简单实用,适用临床标本检测。     

Development and evaluation of a point-of-care test with a combination of EZ-Fast DNA extraction and real-time PCR and LAMP detection: evaluation using blood samples containing the bovine leukaemia DNA

Along with progress in globalization of society, the spread of infectious diseases has accelerated worldwide. The deployment of highly sensitive genetic tests is essential for early diagnosis and early containment of potential outbreaks and epidemics, as well as routine surveillance, although tedious and expensive nucleic acid extraction steps represent a major drawback. Here we developed a simple and rapid DNA extraction method, named as an EZ-Fast kit, applicable to the field setting. The kit does not require advanced laboratory equipment or expensive DNA extraction kits and achieves crude DNA extraction within 10 min at extremely low cost and can easily be performed in field settings. When combined with real-time PCR and LAMP analyses, the performance of the POCT, using 183 bovine blood samples, was similar to that of the existing DNA extraction method: 92·5% (135/146) (real-time PCR) and 93·7% (133/142) (LAMP) diagnostic sensitivities, and 100% diagnostic specificities. The developed POCT provides a powerful tool to facilitate on-site diagnosis in a field setting.     

Comparative analysis of three methods from dried blood spots for expeditious DNA extraction from mosquitoes; suitable for PCR based techniques

The objective of this work was to compare the quality, purity and quantity of DNA isolated from dried blood spots (DBS) by three methods (Chelex-100, QIAamp DNA mini kit, and TE (Tris EDTA)-Buffer). Sample collection was performed in six districts in Odisha, India and screened for cases of clinical malaria and dengue and vector density. Mosquito abdomens were spotted on Whatman 3MM (MERCK) Filter paper and dried for 10 min at room temperature. DNA was isolated from DBS using three methods (Chelex-100, QIAamp DNA mini kit, and TE-Buffer), and PCR was used to determine the feeding behaviours of vector mosquitoes. DNA was quantified using a UV-spectrophotometer, and q-PCR was used to determine the target gene copy number to compare the methods. The QIAamp DNA mini kit method was used as the reference method. The yield and purity of DNA extracted with Chelex-100 and TE were 14–72 ng/µl and 1.51–1.85 and 9–50 ng/µl and 1.68–2.1, respectively. DNA extracted using the Chelex-100 method was stored for over 1 month at ? 20 °C and was suitable for later use. The Chelex-100 method had a sensitivity of 99.5% and specificity of 78%. A Bland–Altman plot suggested that the Chelex-100 method was similar to the QIAamp DNA mini kit method for determining the feeding behaviours of vector mosquitoes. The Chelex-100 method is simple, cost-effective, and safe and requires minimal time for DNA extraction from dried blood spots. In malaria and dengue research, detecting the feeding behaviours from mosquito DNA from dried blood spots on filter paper by PCR is an easy, minimally invasive and inexpensive molecular technique that can be performed in remote areas.