Detection of Pentatrichomonas hominis DNA in biological specimens by PCR

AIM: To develop a sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Pentatrichomonas hominis in biological specimens. METHODS: Three primers, associated in two primer pairs, were designed to amplify a sequence from the SSU rRNA gene of P. hominis. The specificity of both primer pairs was established by testing DNA extractions of different Trichomonad species, protozoa, bacteria, yeasts, and human leucocytes. The analytical sensitivity was determined through testing dilutions of P. hominis trophozoites. The clinical specificity and applicability of the assay was evaluated on stool samples and self-administered vaginal swabs. CONCLUSIONS: A highly specific and sensitive PCR assay was developed. Both primer pairs performed equally well. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of P. hominis in vaginal specimens has not been reported before.     

Detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in fresh stool specimens using PCR

Dientamoeba fragilis is a trichomonad parasite that causes human gastrointestinal disease. Currently microscopy is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis of D. fragilis infection. However, this method is time-consuming and relatively insensitive. A PCR assay based on the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene of D. fragilis for the specific detection of D. fragilis DNA in fresh unpreserved stool samples was developed. The D. fragilis PCR was positive in 29/31 samples with positive microscopy and did not cross-react with other protozoan parasites. The PCR protocol showed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 93.5% and the entire procedure can be performed in one day.     

Evidence that the novel microorganism 'Z' may belong to a new genus in the family Chlamydiaceae

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate possible phylogenetic relationships of a new microorganism called 'Z'. The organism was previously shown to be similar to chlamydia in its growth cycle and some of its metabolic requirements, but different in others and in its major outer membrane protein. In this study we report the sequencing of 'Z's 16S ribosomal DNA and comparison of the sequence with that of other microorganisms, including chlamydia and rickettsiae. While chlamydial species have 95.5% sequence identity among themselves, 'Z' had 83% identity with them, and 73% identity with certain rickettsia-like organisms. Based on the sequence analyses and taking into account physiologic considerations, we believe that 'Z' may belong to a novel genus in the family Chlamydiaceae.     

利用PCR法检测HIV—1DNA

通过比较多个HIV(人免疫缺陷病毒)分离株的核苷酸序列,我们选择膜基因上7373—7514位的一段保守区为目的片段合成了引物1(5′—AGCAGCAGGAAGCACTATGGGC—3′)和引物2(5′—CCAGACTGTGAGTTGCAACA—3′),并分别以质粒PⅢexE7和MT4-HIV-1 DNA,为模板进行了PCR反应及敏感性试验。结果表明,用PCR法可检测出1～10个质粒分子及1×10~6个细胞中一个感染细胞。因此我们推论,本法可应用于AIDS临床标本的检测。     

PCR检测血清HBV DNA

本文利用ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ基因组ｐｒｅＣ和Ｃ区的一套引物,以ＰＣＲ法检测了２６例健康正常人血清和９５例免疫标志各异、临床症状不同的乙肝或可疑乙肝患者的血清,前者无１例检出ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ,后者共检出的６６例血 清存在ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ。该方法特异性强,适用于检测任一亚型的ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ,一轮ＰＣＲ最低可检出０．１ｐｇ的ＨＢＶ ＤＮＡ。     

PCR检测伪狂犬病病毒DNA

 根据伪狂犬病病毒 (PRV)gB基因的序列 ,设计并合成了一对引物 ,以闽A株细胞培养毒为模板 ,筛选最佳反应条件 ,建立了检测PRV的PCR方法 应用该方法对Fb、Bartha、BJ、GD、V2F4、S、S3、SR、Buk、Shope、Norden、MinkⅢ、HB、F8、F9、F12等毒株的细胞培养液进行基因扩增 ,均获得了分子量为 2 81bp的特异性目的DNA片段 ,而对Vero细胞与FMDV、SVDV、HCV、PRRSV、JEV、PPV等病毒进行检测 ,结果均为阴性 ,没有出现交叉反应 对PRV毒株扩增的产物测序 ,结果序列与文献报道一致 ,证明PCR扩增产物和方法的特异性 对 1994～ 2 0 0 0年期间送检的临床样品和保存的PRV毒种 ,用病毒分离、双抗体夹心ELISA和PCR等 3种方法进行检测 ,结果前 2种方法检测为阳性的 ,PCR检测均为阳性 ;PCR检测为阴性 ,前 2种方法检测也为阴性 ;可是 ,前 2种方法检测为阴性的 ,PCR却检测出部分阳性 ;经x2 检验 ,证明PCR检出率明显高于前 2种方法的检出率 对PRV闽A株细胞毒提取物DNA进行检测 ,其最低检出量为 15 8pg 对 1999～ 2 0 0 0年期间广东、福建、海南等省的 31个大中型猪场送检的 191份病料进行检测 .结果病料阳性率为 2 6 2 % ( 50 191) ,猪场阳性率为 71% ( 2 2 31) 实验结果表明 ,所建立的PCR技术可用于伪狂犬病的快速诊断     

PCR检测HPV－18DNA

采用聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）技术,对ＨＰＶ－１８序列中引物ＨＰ＿１、ＨＰ＿２之间的片段（Ｆ）进行扩增,通过两组阴、阳性对照实验证明扩增片段的特异性。用不同Ｍｇ浓度的缓冲系统进行ＰＣＲ反应发现,缓冲系统中Ｍｇ浓度高低是影响ＨＰＶ－１８／ＨＰ＿１、ＨＰ＿２特异扩增的重要因素,高浓度Ｍｇ导致扩增特异性降低。对１７例宫颈癌组织ＤＮＡ进行ＰＣＲ检测,有９例检出Ｆ片段,其检出率是５３％,为ＨＰＶ－１８与宫颈癌的相关性提供证据。     

降落-重叠PCR法四重融合构建平菇同源重组片段

对多个长片段的基因融合目前仍缺少有效的方法. 本文提出一种新的融合PCR策略,即在常规的重叠PCR的第1步和第2步均增加1个降落PCR程序,减少不适当的退火温度和PCR产物3′端额外碱基A对片段融合、扩增的影响,提高正确融合与扩增的效率. 结果表明,为构建平菇葡聚糖合成酶启动子的同源重组序列,在4个长度分别是1 015 bp、2 822 bp、2 206 bp和1 008 bp的片段进行融合时,在重叠PCR的第1步加上退火温度61.5 ℃～57.5 ℃、每降落0.5 ℃进行1个循环的降落PCR程序,在重叠PCR的第2步加上退火温度60 ℃～56 ℃、每降落0.5 ℃进行1个循环的降落PCR程序,经过1次PCR即获得顺序正确的全长融合片段. 测序结果与4个片段序列的一致性达到98.5%,降落-重叠PCR法对多个长片段的基因 融合具有较高的应用价值.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori DNA by a simple stool PCR method in adult dyspeptic patients

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori is the major agent causing peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) gastric lymphoma. A simple stool polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was performed and compared with the gold standards for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 54 adult patients (mean age, 46.41 +/- 13.12 years) with dyspeptic symptoms from Gastroenterology at Dokuz Eylül University Hospital between May and November 2003 were included. Two antrum and corpus biopsies were taken from each patient. Infection by H. pylori was defined as positivity and negativity of the gold standards. DNA extraction of stool specimens was done using QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit (QIAGEN) and PCR conditions included amplification and reamplification steps using the H. pylori ureA gene specific primers (HPU1, HPU2) and were visualized on 1% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. RESULTS: Forty-six of 54 patients (85.2%) were diagnosed positive and eight (14.8%) were negative for H. pylori infection by the gold standard methods. Thirty-two patients were positive (59.3%) and 22 of them (40.7%) were detected negative by stool PCR method. The stool PCR method and gold standard methods showed a statistical difference for the detection of H. pylori infection (p < .0001). Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, and positive and negative predictive values were 65.22%, 75%, 2.61%, 93.75%, and 27.7%, respectively. DISCUSSION: The PCR on the stool specimens resulted as being a very specific test. We suggest that a simple stool PCR method that we developed can be used to detect H. pylori, virulence genes, and in drug resistance studies either first line diagnostic methods in the laboratory or in the clinical management of dyspeptic patients.     

Molecular quantification of environmental DNA using microfluidics and digital PCR

Real-time PCR has been widely used to evaluate gene abundance in natural microbial habitats. However, PCR-inhibitory substances often reduce the efficiency of PCR, leading to the underestimation of target gene copy numbers. Digital PCR using microfluidics is a new approach that allows absolute quantification of DNA molecules. In this study, digital PCR was applied to environmental samples, and the effect of PCR inhibitors on DNA quantification was tested. In the control experiment using λ DNA and humic acids, underestimation of λ DNA at 1/4400 of the theoretical value was observed with 6.58ngμL(-1) humic acids. In contrast, digital PCR provided accurate quantification data with a concentration of humic acids up to 9.34ngμL(-1). The inhibitory effect of paddy field soil extract on quantification of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene was also tested. By diluting the DNA extract, quantified copy numbers from real-time PCR and digital PCR became similar, indicating that dilution was a useful way to remedy PCR inhibition. The dilution strategy was, however, not applicable to all natural environmental samples. For example, when marine subsurface sediment samples were tested the copy number of archaeal 16S rRNA genes was 1.04×10(3)copies/g-sediment by digital PCR, whereas real-time PCR only resulted in 4.64×10(2)copies/g-sediment, which was most likely due to an inhibitory effect. The data from this study demonstrated that inhibitory substances had little effect on DNA quantification using microfluidics and digital PCR, and showed the great advantages of digital PCR in accurate quantifications of DNA extracted from various microbial habitats.     

Detection of bioterror agents in air samples using real-time PCR

Aims:  To use real-time PCR for the detection of bacterial bioterror agents in a liquid air sample containing potential airborne interferences, including bacteria, without the need for DNA extraction.
Methods and Results:  Bacteria in air were isolated after passive sedimentation onto R2A agar plates and characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. Real-time PCR was used to identify different bacterial bioterror agents in an artificial air sample consisting of a liquid air sample and a mixture of miscellaneous airborne bacteria showing different colony morphology on R2A agar plates. No time-consuming DNA extraction was performed. Specifically designed fluorescent hybridization probes were used for identification.
Conclusions:  Fourteen different bacterial genera were classified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of selected bacterial colonies showing growth on R2A agar plates. Real-time PCR amplification of all the bacterial bioterror agents was successfully obtained in the artificial air sample containing commonly found airborne bacteria and other potential airborne PCR interferences.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Bacterial bioterror agents can be detected within 1 h in a liquid air sample containing a variety of commonly found airborne bacteria using real-time PCR. Airborne viable bacteria at Kjeller (Norway) were classified to the genera level using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.     

实时荧光定量PCR检测HPV—DNA在宫颈癌筛查中应用

目的：探讨HPV感染与宫颈病变的关系。方法：对2008年2月-2009年3月期间在通山县人民医院皮肤性病科和妇科门诊就诊的1256位女性的宫颈拭子标本进行HPV DNA实时荧光定量PCR检测,比较不同宫颈病变级别组HPV的阳性率。结果：各病变组与正常组比较差异有显著性,P〈0.01,且随病变级别增加总阳性率逐渐上升。结论：HPV在人群具有较高的感染率,且HPV感染与宫颈病变的发生有关。实时荧光定量PCR检测HPV DNA可成为一种广泛应用的临床检验技术,作为筛查宫颈癌及癌前病变的首选方法。     

Characterization of a hypervariable region in the genome of Chlamydophila pneumoniae

Chlamydophila pneumoniae displays surprisingly little genomic variation, as seen by comparisons of the published genomes from three different isolates and sequencing of four different genes from different isolates. We have in the present study, however, demonstrated genomic variation between 10 C. pneumoniae isolates in the 11690-bp region between the two outer membrane protein genes pmp1 and pmp2. This region of the C. pneumoniae CWL-029 isolate contains seven C. pneumoniae-specific open reading frames (hb1-7, encoding hydrophobic beta-sheet-containing proteins). We identified additionally 12 open reading frames in the C. pneumoniae CWL-029 genome encoding hypothetical proteins with similarity to the seven hypothetical Hb-proteins. Compared to other isolates, genomic variation is seen to cause frame-shifting of three of the 19 hb-open reading frames, which are proposed to be three full-length genes and eight frame-shifted pseudogenes. The hypothetical proteins encoded by these proposed genes contain an N-terminally located highly hydrophobic stretch of 50-60 residues. A similar motif is found in all identified Chlamydia inclusion membrane proteins and therefore the Hb-proteins are candidate inclusion proteins.     

Detection of HPV DNA in cervical specimens collected in cytologic solution by ligation-dependent PCR

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and sensitivity of detecting human papillomavirus (HPV) in specimens collected in Cytyc PreservCyt fluid (Boxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) using ligation-dependent polymerase chain reaction (LD-PCR) and to demonstrate the diagnostic value of HPV DNA testing as an adjunct to cytology in the detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), especially in cases of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). STUDY DESIGN: LD-PCR is a recently invented DNA amplification technology that utilizes a capture probe for target isolation and 2 hemiprobes for target detection. The hemiprobes are designed in such a way that when they hybridize to their target, the 5' end of one probe and the 3' end of the other probe are brought together. Two hemiprobes can then be ligated into a full probe that can serve as a template for PCR amplification. A total of 94 cervical specimens were collected in cytologic fluid and tested with LD-PCR. The results were compared with those of the Digene Hybrid Capture II assay (HC II) (Beltville, Maryland, U.S.A.) and consensus PCR. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity for detecting HPV was 41.5% (39/94) by LD-PCR, 50% (47/94) by consensus PCR and 37.2% (35/94) by HC II. The prevalence of HPV by HC II, consensus PCR and LD-PCR were 87.5%, 100% and 87.5% in the high grade SIL group; 100%, 90.9% and 90.9% in the low grade SIL group; 30%, 52.5% and 40% in the ASCUS group; and 14.2%, 22.8% and 17.1% in women with normal cytology. These results indicate that all 3 methods have similar sensitivity in patients with SIL. However, there is greater variation in detection rates in the ASCUS and normal cytology groups. CONCLUSION: LD-PCR is a useful method of detecting HPV in liquid-based gynecologic cytologic preservatives, and HPV testing as a method adjunct to the liquid-based Pap test could be useful in detecting SILs, especially for the management of patients with ASCUS.     

PCR amplification and cycle DNA sequencing analysis of the Chlamydia trachomatis elongation factor Tu gene

Based on the elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) gene of Chlamydia trachomatis, a pair of oligonucleotide primers CTUFU and CTUFD, were designed to amplify a specific target fragment of 931bp. The PCR assay could detect C. trachomatis in cervical smear specimens obtained from sex workers undergoing routine examination in an STD clinic. Distinct target bands were also amplified from at least 10ng of positive control DNA samples from cultured cells infected with C. trachomatis. PCR with these primers could differentiate C. trachomatis from eight non-chlamydial bacterial species. Further verification could be obtained from the non-digestion of C. trachomatis PCR products by MspA1I restriction endonuclease, in contrast to the digestion of the non-specific PCR products of Klebsiella and Bacillus. Direct cycle DNA sequencing of 450bp of the PCR products of four C. trachomatis isolates revealed complete identity of one isolate with the known sequence of serovar F, while the other three isolates harboured three phenotypically silent point mutations at codons 96, 305 and 312 of the EF-Tu gene. The sequence analyses confirm the authenticity of the target bands, reiterate the conservation and role of the EF-Tu gene in protein biosynthesis, and indicate the utility of the primers for the rapid detection of C. trachomatis.