AIMS This paper reports a simple, rapid approach for the detection of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). METHODS AND RESULTS Direct PCR (DPCR) obviates the need for the recovery of cells from the sample or DNA extraction prior to PCR. Primers specific for Stx-encoding genes stx1 and stx2 were used in DPCR for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 added to environmental water samp...

We have developed a closed-tube format telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay for direct quantification of telomerase activity within the PCR vessel. The assay utilizes energy transfer (ET) primers, which emit fluorescence only upon incorporation into PCR products. This novel ET primer system (Amplifluor primers) has major advantages over existing detection methods because it elim...

A clinical evaluation of the Amplicor polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical swabs (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, N.J.) is described. This new clinical system used one-step sample preparation, amplification with biotinylated cryptic plasmid primer pairs (CP24-CP27), uracil-N-glycosylase (AmpErase), and a microtiter format for ampl...

The aim of this study is to determine oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types and HPV type 16 (HPV16) variant distribution in two Spanish population groups, commercial sex workers and imprisoned women (CSW/IPW) and the general population. A multicenter cross-sectional study of 1,889 women from five clinical settings in two Spanish cities was conducted from May to November 2004. Oncogenic HPV...

There has been a steady increase of visceral leishmaniasis during the past 20 years in Tunisia. In this study, we assess the value of two optimised PCR versus those of classical methods for the diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis. 106 samples were collected from 53 cases of pediatric visceral leishmaniasis. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were analysed both by parasitological met...

This study aimed at evaluating potential differences among the bacterial communities from formation water and oil samples originated from biodegraded and non-biodegraded Brazilian petroleum reservoirs by using a PCR-DGGE based approach. Environmental DNA was isolated and used in PCR reactions with bacterial primers, followed by separation of 16S rDNA fragments in the DGGE. PCR products were als...