scholarly journals Comparative Assessment of In-House Real-Time PCRs Targeting Enteric Disease-Associated Microsporidia in Human Stool Samples

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 656
Author(s):  
Konstantin Tanida ◽  
Andreas Hahn ◽  
Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt ◽  
Egbert Tannich ◽  
Olfert Landt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Enteric Disease ◽  
Immunosuppressed Patients ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays

Microsporidiosis is an infection predominantly occurring in immunosuppressed patients and infrequently also in travelers. This study was performed to comparatively evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of real-time PCR assays targeting microsporidia with etiological relevance in the stool of human patients in a latent class analysis-based test comparison without a reference standard with perfect accuracy. Thereby, two one-tube real-time PCR assays and two two-tube real-time PCR assays targeting Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalocytozoon spp. were included in the assessment with reference stool material (20), stool samples from Ghanaian HIV-positive patients (903), and from travelers, migrants and Colombian indigenous people (416). Sensitivity of the assays ranged from 60.4% to 97.4% and specificity from 99.1% to 100% with substantial agreement according to Cohen’s kappa of 79.6%. Microsporidia DNA was detected in the reference material and the stool of the HIV patients but not in the stool of the travelers, migrants, and the Colombian indigenous people. Accuracy-adjusted prevalence was 5.8% (n = 78) for the study population as a whole. In conclusion, reliable detection of enteric disease-associated microsporidia in stool samples by real-time PCR could be demonstrated, but sensitivity between the compared microsporidia-specific real-time PCR assays varied.

scholarly journals Differing Effects of Standard and Harsh Nucleic Acid Extraction Procedures on Diagnostic Helminth Real-Time PCRs Applied to Human Stool Samples

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
Tanja Hoffmann ◽  
Andreas Hahn ◽  
Jaco J. Verweij ◽  
Gérard Leboulle ◽  
Olfert Landt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Acid Extraction ◽  
Nucleic Acid Extraction ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Bead Beating ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Human Stool

This study aimed to assess standard and harsher nucleic acid extraction schemes for diagnostic helminth real-time PCR approaches from stool samples. A standard procedure for nucleic acid extraction from stool and a procedure including bead-beating as well as proteinase K digestion were compared with group-, genus-, and species-specific real-time PCR assays targeting helminths and nonhelminth pathogens in human stool samples. From 25 different in-house and commercial helminth real-time PCR assays applied to 77 stool samples comprising 67 historic samples and 10 external quality assessment scheme samples positively tested for helminths, higher numbers of positive test results were observed after bead-beating-based nucleic acid extraction for 5/25 (20%) real-time PCR assays irrespective of specificity issues. Lower cycle threshold values were observed for one real-time PCR assay after the standard extraction scheme, and for four assays after the bead-beating-based scheme. Agreement between real-time PCR results after both nucleic acid extraction strategies according to Cohen’s kappa ranged from poor to almost perfect for the different assays. Varying agreement was observed in eight nonhelminth real-time PCR assays applied to 67 historic stool samples. The study indicates highly variable effects of harsh nucleic acid extraction approaches depending on the real-time PCR assay used.

scholarly journals Detection and species identification of microsporidial infections using SYBR Green real-time PCR

2011 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer D. Polley ◽  
Samuel Boadi ◽  
Julie Watson ◽  
Alan Curry ◽  
Peter L. Chiodini
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Simultaneous Detection ◽  
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi ◽  
Sybr Green ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Real Time Analysis ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Stool Samples

Diagnosis of microsporidial infections is routinely performed by light microscopy, with unequivocal non-molecular species identification achievable only through electron microscopy. This study describes a single SYBR Green real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection and species identification of such infections. This assay was highly sensitive, routinely detecting infections containing 400 parasites (g stool sample)−1, whilst species identification was achieved by differential melt curves on a Corbett Life Science Rotor-Gene 3000. A modification of the QIAamp DNA tissue extraction protocol allowed the semi-automated extraction of DNA from stools for the routine diagnosis of microsporidial infection by real-time PCR. Of 168 stool samples routinely analysed for microsporidian spores, only five were positive by microscopy. By comparison, 17 were positive for microsporidial DNA by real-time analysis, comprising 14 Enterocytozoon bieneusi, one Encephalitozoon cuniculi and two separate Pleistophora species infections.

PCR and culture for diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2020-316730
Author(s):  
Helene Yera ◽  
Vichita Ok ◽  
Fiona Lee Koy Kuet ◽  
Naima Dahane ◽  
Frédéric Ariey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Small Subunit Rrna ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Corneal Scraping ◽  
Pcr Assays

Background/AimsAcanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but sight-threatening infection. Molecular diagnosis of corneal scraping has improved the diagnosis of AK. Different molecular targets and conditions have been used in diagnosis thus far. In this study, we prospectively compared the performance of five PCR assays on corneal samples for the diagnosis of AK.Methods1217 corneal scraping samples were obtained from patients, for whom an AK was suspected. Sample processing involved both molecular diagnostics and culture. Acanthamoeba PCR assays detected different regions of the Acanthamoeba nuclear small-subunit rRNA gene: three final point PCR assays using Nelson, ACARNA and JDP1–JDP2 pairs of primers, and two real-time PCR assays using Acant primer-probe. Human DNA and internal control were co-amplified in the real-time PCR assay to ensure scraping quality and the absence of inhibitors. In the absence of a gold standard, the performance of each test was evaluated using latent class analysis. Genotypes of Acanthamoeba isolates were also characterised.ResultsEstimated prevalence of AK was 1.32%. The sensitivity of Acanthamoeba diagnostic PCRs (73.3% to 86.7%) did not differ significantly from that of culture (66.7%), or according to the target sequence or the technology. Sensitivity could be increased to 93.8% or 100% by combining two or three assays, respectively. PCR specificity (99.3% to 100%) differed between the assays. T4 was the predominant Acanthamoeba genotype (84.6%).ConclusionsCulture and a single PCR assay could lead to misdiagnosing AK. A combination of different PCR assays and improved sample quality could increase diagnosis sensitivity.

scholarly journals Comparison of two commercial and one in-house real-time PCR assays for the diagnosis of bacterial gastroenteritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-216
Author(s):  
Konstantin Tanida ◽  
Andreas Hahn ◽  
Hagen Frickmann
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Cohen's Kappa ◽  
Bacterial Gastroenteritis ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Inter Assay Variation

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of the study was a comparative evaluation of in-house real-time PCR and commercial real-time PCR (Fast Track Diagnostics (FTD), ampliCube/Mikrogen) targeting enteropathogenic bacteria from stool in preparation of Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices.MethodsBoth 241 stool samples from patients and 100 samples from German laboratory control schemes (“Ringversuche”) were used to comparatively assess in-house real-time PCR, the FTD bacterial gastroenteritis kit, and the ampliCube gastrointestinal bacterial panels 1&2 either with the in-house PCRs as gold standard and as a test comparison without gold standard applying latent class analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, intra- and inter-assay variation and Cohen’s kappa were assessed.ResultsIn comparison with the gold standard, sensitivity was 75–100% for strongly positive samples, 20–100% for weakly positive samples, and specificity ranged from 96 to 100%. Latent class analysis suggested that sensitivity ranges from 81.2 to 100% and specificity from 58.5 to 100%. Cohen’s kappa varied between moderate and nearly perfect agreement, intra- and inter-assay variation was 1–3 to 1–4 Ct values.ConclusionAcceptable agreement and performance characteristics suggested replaceability of the in-house PCR assays by the commercial approaches.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Molecular Serotyping Assays for Shigella flexneri Directly on Stool Samples

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Liu ◽  
Suporn Pholwat ◽  
Jixian Zhang ◽  
Mami Taniuchi ◽  
Rashidul Haque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Quantitative Detection ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Validation Set ◽  
Serotype Identification

Shigella flexneri is prevalent worldwide and is the most common Shigella species in many countries. At least 19 S. flexneri serotypes exist, and serotype information is important for epidemiologic and vaccine development purposes. We evaluated the performance of real time PCR (PCR) assays for O-antigen modification genes to identify the major serotypes on isolates and direct stool samples. The assays were formulated into two multiplex panels: one panel included gtrII, gtrV, gtrX, oac, and wzx6 to identify S. flexneri serotype 2a, 2b, 3a, 5a, 5b, 6, and X, the other panel included ipaH, gtrI, gtrIc, gtrIV, to confirm Shigella detection and further identify S. flexneri serotype 1a, 1b, 1d, 3b, 4a, 4b, 7a, and 7b. We first evaluated 283 Shigella isolates and PCR serotyping demonstrated 97.0% (95% confidence interval 93.0% - 99.0%) sensitivity and 99.9% (99.9%-100%) specificity compared to conventional serotyping. The assays were then utilized on direct stool specimens. A quantitative detection algorithm was developed with a validation set of 174 Shigella culture positive stool samples, and further tested with a derivation set of 164 samples. The PCR serotyping on stool achieved 93% (89%-96%) sensitivity and 99% (99%-100%) specificity compared to serotyping. Most discrepancies were genotypic-phenotypic discordance, not genotypic failure. These real-time PCR assays provide an efficient and novel tool for S. flexneri serotype identification.

scholarly journals Detection of Tropheryma whipplei in stool samples by one commercial and two in-house real-time PCR assays

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagen Frickmann ◽  
Miriam Hanke ◽  
Andreas Hahn ◽  
Norbert G. Schwarz ◽  
Olfert Landt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Tropheryma Whipplei ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays

scholarly journals Comparison of Three Real-Time PCR Assays Targeting the SSU rRNA Gene, the COWP Gene and the DnaJ-Like Protein Gene for the Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in Stool Samples

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Felix Weinreich ◽  
Andreas Hahn ◽  
Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt ◽  
Torsten Feldt ◽  
Fred Stephen Sarfo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Protein Gene ◽  
Molecular Diagnostic ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ssu Rrna ◽  
Ssu Rrna Gene ◽  
Cryptosporidium Spp ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Pcr Assays

As qualified microscopy of enteric parasitoses as defined by high diagnostic accuracy is difficult to maintain in non-endemic areas due to scarce opportunities for practicing with positive sample materials, molecular diagnostic options provide less investigator-dependent alternatives. Here, we compared three molecular targets for the real-time PCR-based detection of Cryptosporidium spp. From a population of 1000 individuals comprising both Ghanaian HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) patients and military returnees after deployment in the tropics, stool samples were assessed for Cryptosporidium spp. by real-time PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall (COWP) gene, and the DnaJ-like protein gene (DnaJ), respectively. In declining order, sensitivity of 100% for the SSU rRNA gene PCR, 90.0% for the COWP PCR and 88.8% for the DnaJ PCR, respectively, as well as specificity of 99.6% for the COWP PCR and 96.9% for both the SSU rRNA gene PCR and the DnaJ PCR, respectively, were recorded. Substantial agreement (kappa value 0.663) between the three assays was observed. Further, an accuracy-adjusted Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence of 6.0% was calculated for the study population. In conclusion, none of the assessed real-time PCR assays were associated with perfect test accuracy. However, a combination of highly sensitive SSU rRNA gene PCR for screening purposes and more specific COWP PCR for confirmatory testing should allow reliable diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples even in low prevalence settings.

DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPLEX REAL-TIME PCR ASSAY FOR SIX PATHOGENS: RAPID TOOL FOR DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS

2019 ◽  
pp. 60-66
Author(s):  
Viet Quynh Tram Ngo ◽  
Thi Ti Na Nguyen ◽  
Hoang Bach Nguyen ◽  
Thi Tuyet Ngoc Tran ◽  
Thi Nam Lien Nguyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Type B ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pcr Assays ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Suis Serotype

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis is an acute central nervous infection with high mortality or permanent neurological sequelae if remained undiagnosed. However, traditional diagnostic methods for bacterial meningitis pose challenge in prompt and precise identification of causative agents. Aims: The present study will therefore aim to set up in-house PCR assays for diagnosis of six pathogens causing the disease including H. influenzae type b, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, S. suis serotype 2, E. coli and S. aureus. Methods: inhouse PCR assays for detecting six above-mentioned bacteria were optimized after specific pairs of primers and probes collected from the reliable literature resources and then were performed for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis in Hue Hospitals. Results: The set of four PCR assays was developed including a multiplex real-time PCR for S. suis serotype 2, H. influenzae type b and N. meningitides; three monoplex real-time PCRs for E. coli, S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. Application of the in-house PCRs for 116 CSF samples, the results indicated that 48 (39.7%) cases were positive with S. suis serotype 2; one case was positive with H. influenzae type b; 4 cases were positive with E. coli; pneumococcal meningitis were 19 (16.4%) cases, meningitis with S. aureus and N. meningitidis were not observed in any CSF samples in this study. Conclusion: our in-house real-time PCR assays are rapid, sensitive and specific tools for routine diagnosis to detect six mentioned above meningitis etiological agents. Key words: Bacterial meningitis, etiological agents, multiplex real-time PCR

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