Evaluation of small-subunit rRNA touchdown polymerase chain reaction for direct detection of Entamoeba histolytica in human pus samples from patients with amoebic liver abscess.
Loading...
Date
2011-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of touchdown polymerase chain reaction (TD-PCR) for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica in liver pus samples obtained from patients with a clinical diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess (ALA) using small-subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) as the target gene. Materials and Methods: Microscopic examination in vitro culture and serological test for the detection of E. histolytica in 67 pus samples obtained from ALA patients was performed. Molecular studies were carried out by both conventional PCR and TD-PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene using the same sets of primers and the results were compared. Results: TD-PCR detected the presence of E. histolytica in 86.5% of the liver pus samples within 2.5 h as compared with 82.08% by conventional PCR within 3.5-4 h. Conclusion: TD-PCR assay may serve as a relatively better detection method for E. histolytica over conventional PCR with respect to the turnaround time, increased sensitivity, specificity and yield.
Description
Keywords
Amoebic liver abscess, polymerase chain reaction, small-subunit rRNA, touchdown PCR
Citation
Singh P, Mirdha B R, Ahuja V, Singh S. Evaluation of small-subunit rRNA touchdown polymerase chain reaction for direct detection of Entamoeba histolytica in human pus samples from patients with amoebic liver abscess. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2011 Apr-June; 29(2): 141-146.