Comparative evaluation of conventional and real-time PCR assays for detecting Bacteroides fragilis in clinical samples.

Citation:

Papaparaskevas J, Mela V, Houhoula DP, Pantazatou A, Petrikkos GL, Tsakris A. Comparative evaluation of conventional and real-time PCR assays for detecting Bacteroides fragilis in clinical samples. J Clin Microbiol. 2013;51(5):1593-5.

Abstract:

A conventional PCR and a real-time PCR for detecting Bacteroides fragilis were evaluated against clinical specimens. Analytical sensitivities were 100 and 40 fg of DNA, respectively. Detection limits were 100 and 10 CFU/ml, respectively. A total of six culture-negative specimens were positive by PCR. Altering the gold standard from "positive culture" to "positive culture or both PCR assays positive" resulted in sensitivities of 91.7% and 100%, respectively, and in specificities of 100% and 98.6%, respectively.