Evaluation of PCR mediated DNA amplification in non-invasive biological specimens for subclinical detection of Mycobacterium leprae

DNA from Mycobacterium leprae, present in non-invasive clinical samples from leprosy patients, such as nasal secretion and hair bulbs, was submitted to amplification by the polymerase chain reaction using a M. leprae-specific repetitive sequence as a target. After optimization of sample processing a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inFEMS immunology and medical microbiology Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 113 - 120
Main Authors Santos, Adalberto R., Filho, Jose T.Goes, Nery, Jose A.C., Duppre, Nadia C., Gallo, Maria E.N., Suffys, Philip N., Degrave, Wim M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 1995
Subjects
Clinical sample
Leprosy diagnosis
Mycobacterium leprae
Polymerase chain reaction
Polymerase chain reaction
Leprosy diagnosis
Mycobacterium leprae
Clinical sample
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Summary:DNA from Mycobacterium leprae, present in non-invasive clinical samples from leprosy patients, such as nasal secretion and hair bulbs, was submitted to amplification by the polymerase chain reaction using a M. leprae-specific repetitive sequence as a target. After optimization of sample processing and of the PCR conditions, we were able to detect DNA from M. leprae in both types of clinical samples, even from paucibacillary leprosy patients. The use of hair bulbs and nasal secretion as clinical samples for screening of household contacts and for the evaluation of a risk population, or for the follow-up of patients under chemotherapy, and monitoring of bacterial load is discussed.
ISSN:0928-8244
1574-695X
DOI:10.1016/0928-8244(95)00014-X