A rapid polymerase chain reaction technique for detecting M tuberculosis in a variety of clinical specimens

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 51; no. 12; pp. 922 - 924
• Main Authors: Kearns, A M, Freeman, R, Steward, M, Magee, J G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.12.1998; BMJ
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - microbiology; DNA, Bacterial - cerebrospinal fluid; DNA, Bacterial - isolation & purification; DNA, Bacterial - urine; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymph Nodes - microbiology; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - genetics; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic - standards; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum - microbiology; Human; Biological fluid; Mycobacterial infection; Bacteriological investigation; Infection; Polymerase chain reaction; Rapid technique; Microbiological investigation; Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacteriales; Bacteriosis; Mycobacteriaceae; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Diagnosis; Technique; Molecular biology
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.51.12.922

A rapid in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is described for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in clinical material. Its performance is compared with two kit based systems. The results of the in-house assay were comparable with the commercial assays, detecting M tuberculosis in 100% of smear positive, culture positive samples. The in-house assay proved to be rapid, easy, and inexpensive to perform, and the inclusion of an internal inhibitor control permitted validation of the PCR results.