Validating quantitative PCR assays for cfDNA detection without DNA extraction in exercising SLE patients.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Neuberger EWI
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8245561 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Leprosy urgently needs a precise and early diagnostic tool. The sensitivity of the direct (bacilli staining, Mycobacterium leprae DNA) and indirect (antibody levels, T cell assays) diagnostics methods vary based on the clinical form. Recently, PCR-based M. leprae DNA detection has been shown to differentially diagnose leprosy from other dermatological conditions. However, accuracy can still be improved, especially for use with less invasive clinical samples. We tested different commercial DNA extraction kits: DNeasy Blood & Tissue, QIAamp DNA Microbiome, Maxwell 16 DNA Purification, PowerSoil DNA Isolation; as well as in-house phenol-chloroform and Trizol/FastPrep methods. Extraction was performed on M. leprae-infected mouse footpads and different clinical samples of leprosy patients (skin biopsies and scrapings, lesion, oral and nasal swabs, body hair, blood on FTA cards, peripheral whole blood). We observed that the Microbiome kit was able to enrich for mycobacterial DNA, most likely due the enzymatic digestion cocktail along with mechanical disruption involved in this method. Consequently, we had a significant increase in sensitivity in skin biopsies from paucibacillary leprosy patients using a duplex qPCR targeting 16S rRNA (M. leprae) and 18S rRNA (mammal) in the StepOnePlus system. Our data showed that the presence of M. leprae DNA was best detected in skin biopsies and skin scrapings, independent of the extraction method or the clinical form. For multibacillary patients, detection of M. leprae DNA in nasal swabs indicates the possibility of having a much less invasive sample that can be used for the purposes of DNA sequencing for relapse analysis and drug resistance monitoring. Overall, DNA extracted with the Microbiome kit presented the best bacilli detection rate for paucibacillary cases, indicating that investments in extraction methods with mechanical and DNA digestion should be made.
| S-EPMC7274454 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is a novel molecular biology technique providing absolute quantification of target nucleic acids without the need for an external calibrator. Despite its emerging applications in medical diagnosis, there are few reports of its use for the detection of plant pathogens. This work was designed to assess the diagnosis potential of the ddPCR for absolute quantitative detection of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, a quarantine plant pathogenic bacterium that causes citrus bacterial canker in susceptible Citrus species. We transferred an established quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for citrus bacterial canker diagnosis directly to the ddPCR format and compared the performance of the two methods. The qPCR assay has a broader dynamic range compared to the ddPCR assay and the ddPCR assay has a significantly higher degree of sensitivity compared to the qPCR assay. The influence of PCR inhibitors can be reduced considerably in the ddPCR assay because the collection of end-point fluorescent signals and the counting of binomial events (positive or negative droplets) are associated with a Poisson algorithm. The ddPCR assay also shows lower coefficient of variation compared to the qPCR assay especially in low target concentration. The linear association of the measurements by ddPCR and qPCR assays is strong (Pearson correlation = 0.8633; P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicates the ddPCR methodology is a more robust approach for diagnosis of citrus bacterial canker. In summary, the results demonstrated that the ddPCR assay has the potential for the quantitative detection of X. citri subsp. citri with high precision and accuracy as compared with the results from qPCR assay. Further studies are required to evaluate and validate the value of ddPCR technology in the diagnosis of plant disease and quarantine applications.
| S-EPMC4948846 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND: The speed and sensitivity of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have made it a popular method for the detection of microbiological agents in both research and clinical specimens. For the detection and genotyping of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in clinical specimens, real-time PCR has proven to be faster, more sensitive and safer than earlier methods which included isolation of the virus in cell culture followed by immunofluorescence microscopy. While PCR-based assays for HSV detection posses clear advantages over these earlier techniques, certain aspects of the PCR method remain onerous. The process of extraction and purification of nucleic acid from clinical specimens prior to PCR is particularly cumbersome. Nucleic acid extraction is expensive, time-consuming and provides a step whereby specimens can become contaminated prior to their analysis. Herein, we investigate the necessity of nucleic acid extraction from swab-based clinical specimens for HSV detection by real-time PCR. We find that nucleic acid extraction is unnecessary for specific and sensitive detection of HSV in clinical specimens using real-time PCR. METHODS: Prospective (n = 36) and retrospective (n = 21) clinical specimens from various anatomical sites were analyzed for the presence of herpes simplex virus 1 or 2 by real-time PCR using the RealArt HSV 1/2 LC PCR Kit. Specimens were analyzed by PCR both before and following automated nucleic acid extraction. PCR using extracted and unextracted specimens was also compared to cell culture as a means of detecting HSV. RESULTS: Detection of HSV 1/2 DNA in clinical specimens by real-time PCR did not require that the specimen be subjected to nucleic acid extraction/purification prior to analysis. Each specimen that was detectable by real-time PCR when analyzed in the extracted form was also detectable when analyzed in the unextracted form using the methods herein. The limit of detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 particles when analyzed in the unextracted form was found to be approximately 17 and 32 virus particles respectively, compared to a sensitivity of 10 copies, for analysis of purified DNA. Omission of the nucleic acid extraction step shortened both the assay time and cost. CONCLUSION: Omission of the nucleic acid extraction step prior to real-time PCR for detection of herpes simplex virus resulted in a more rapid and cost-effective assay, with little impact upon the sensitivity of detection.
| S-EPMC1533833 | biostudies-other
Project description:Methane oxidation in soils is mostly accomplished by methanotrophic bacteria. Little is known about the abundance of methanotrophs in soils, since quantification by cultivation and microscopic techniques is cumbersome. Comparison of 16S ribosomal DNA and pmoA (alpha subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase) phylogenetic trees showed good correlation and revealed five distinct groups of methanotrophs within the alpha and gamma subclasses of Proteobacteria: the Methylococcus group, the Methylobacter/Methylosarcina group, the Methylosinus group, the Methylocapsa group, and the forest clones group (a cluster of pmoA sequences retrieved from forest soils). We developed quantitative real-time PCR assays with SybrGreen for each of these five groups and for all methanotrophic bacteria by targeting the pmoA gene. Detection limits were between 10(1) and 10(2) target molecules per reaction for all assays. Real-time PCR analysis of soil samples spiked with cells of Methylococcus capsulatus, Methylomicrobium album, and Methylosinus trichosporium recovered almost all the added bacteria. Only the Methylosinus-specific assay recovered only 20% of added cells, possibly due to a lower lysis efficiency of type II methanotrophs. Analysis of the methanotrophic community structure in a flooded rice field soil showed (5.0 +/- 1.4) x 10(6) pmoA molecules g(-1) for all methanotrophs. The Methylosinus group was predominant (2.7 x 10(6) +/- 1.1 x 10(6) target molecules g(-1)). In addition, bacteria of the Methylobacter/Methylosarcina group were abundant (2.0 x 10(6) +/- 0.9 x 10(6) target molecules g of soil(-1)). On the other hand, pmoA affiliated with the forest clones and the Methylocapsa group was below the detection limit of 1.9 x 10(4) target molecules g of soil(-1). Our results showed that pmoA-targeted real-time PCR allowed fast and sensitive quantification of the five major groups of methanotrophs in soil. This approach will thus be useful for quantitative analysis of the community structure of methanotrophs in nature.
| S-EPMC154495 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Five institutional partners participated in an interlaboratory comparison of nucleic acid extraction, RNA preservation and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) based assays for biogas biocenoses derived from different grass silage digesting laboratory and pilot scale fermenters. A kit format DNA extraction system based on physical and chemical lysis with excellent extraction efficiency yielded highly reproducible results among the partners and clearly outperformed a traditional CTAB/chloroform/isoamylalcohol based method. Analytical purpose, sample texture, consistency and upstream pretreatment steps determine the modifications that should be applied to achieve maximum efficiency in the trade-off between extract purity and nucleic acid recovery rate. RNA extraction was much more variable, and the destination of the extract determines the method to be used. RNA stabilization with quaternary ammonium salts was an as satisfactory approach as flash freezing in liquid N?. Due to co-eluted impurities, spectrophotometry proved to be of limited value for nucleic acid qualification and quantification in extracts obtained with the kit, and picoGreen® based quantification was more trustworthy. Absorbance at 230 nm can be extremely high in the presence of certain chaotropic guanidine salts, but guanidinium isothiocyanate does not affect (q)PCR. Absolute quantification by qPCR requires application of a reliable internal standard for which correct PCR efficiency and Y-intercept values are important and must be reported.
| S-EPMC5597165 | biostudies-other
Project description:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) offers rapid diagnosis of rickettsial infections. Thus, successful treatment could be initiated to avoid unfavorable outcome. Our aim was to compare two qPCR assays for Rickettsia detection and to evaluate their contribution in early diagnosis of rickettsial infection in Tunisian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Included patients were hospitalized in different hospitals in Tunisia from 2007 to 2012. Serology was performed by microimmunofluorescence assay using R. conorii and R. typhi antigens. Two duplex qPCRs, previously reported, were performed on collected skin biopsies and whole blood samples. The first duplex amplified all Rickettsia species (PanRick) and Rickettsia typhi DNA (Rtt). The second duplex detected spotted fever group Rickettsiae (RC00338) and typhus group Rickettsiae DNA (Rp278). RESULTS:Diagnosis of rickettsiosis was confirmed in 82 cases (57.7%). Among 44 skin biopsies obtained from patients with confirmed diagnosis, the first duplex was positive in 24 samples (54.5%), with three patients positive by Rtt qPCR. Using the second duplex, positivity was noted in 21 samples (47.7%), with two patients positive by Rp278 qPCR. Among79 whole blood samples obtained from patients with confirmed diagnosis, panRick qPCR was positive in 5 cases (6.3%) among which two were positive by Rtt qPCR. Using the second set of qPCRs, positivity was noted in four cases (5%) with one sample positive by Rp278 qPCR. Positivity rates of the two duplex qPCRs were significantly higher among patients presenting with negative first serum than those with already detectable antibodies. CONCLUSIONS:Using qPCR offers a rapid diagnosis. The PanRick qPCR showed a higher sensitivity. Our study showed that this qPCR could offer a prompt diagnosis at the early stage of the disease. However, its implementation in routine needs cost/effectiveness evaluation.
| S-EPMC4338037 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We describe an ultra-rapid and sensitive method to quantify gene expression levels in cultured cells. The procedure is based on reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) directly from cells, without RNA extraction and without an isothermal reverse-transcription step. Human neurons (Lund human mesencephalic cells) were lysed at different stages of differentiation, and the lysates were used directly as template for the combined RT-qPCR reaction. We detected a down-regulation of a proliferation marker and an up-regulation of neuronal dopaminergic genes expression. We were able to detect the reference gene target from as few as a single cell, demonstrating the application of the method for efficient amplification from small cell numbers. The data were fully in line with those obtained by the standard two-step RT-qPCR from the extracted total RNA. Our 'zero-step' RT-qPCR method proved to be simple and reliable with a total time from cell lysis to the end of the qPCR as short as 1.5 h. It is therefore particularly suitable for RT-qPCRs where large numbers of samples must be handled, or where data are required within short time.
| S-EPMC6977950 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) are the lead causes of bacterial meningitis. Detection of these pathogens from clinical specimens using traditional real-time PCR (rt-PCR) requires DNA extraction to remove the PCR inhibitors prior to testing, which is time consuming and labor intensive. In this study, five species-specific (Nm-sodC and -ctrA, Hi-hpd#1 and -hpd#3 and Sp-lytA) and six serogroup-specific rt-PCR tests (A, B, C, W, X, Y) targeting Nm capsular genes were evaluated in the two direct rt-PCR methods using PerfeCTa and 5x Omni that do not require DNA extraction. The sensitivity and specify of the two direct rt-PCR methods were compared to TaqMan traditional rt-PCR, the current standard rt-PCR method for the detection of meningitis pathogens. The LLD for all 11 rt-PCR tests ranged from 6,227 to 272,229 CFU/ml for TaqMan, 1,824-135,982 for 5x Omni, and 168-6,836 CFU/ml for PerfeCTa. The diagnostic sensitivity using TaqMan ranged from 89.2%-99.6%, except for NmB-csb, which was 69.7%. For 5x Omni, the sensitivity varied from 67.1% to 99.8%, with three tests below 90%. The sensitivity of these tests using PerfeCTa varied from 89.4% to 99.8%. The specificity ranges of the 11 tests were 98.0-99.9%, 97.5-99.9%, and 92.9-99.9% for TaqMan, 5x Omni, and PerfeCTa, respectively. PerfeCTa direct rt-PCR demonstrated similar or better sensitivity compared to 5x Omni direct rt-PCR or TaqMan traditional rt-PCR. Since the direct rt-PCR method does not require DNA extraction, it reduces the time and cost for processing CSF specimens, increases testing throughput, decreases the risk of cross-contamination, and conserves precious CSF. The direct rt-PCR method will be beneficial to laboratories with high testing volume.
| S-EPMC4735509 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria is a global health emergency. One critical facet of tackling this epidemic is more rapid AMR diagnosis in serious multidrug-resistant pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we designed and then validated two multiplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays to simultaneously detect differential expression of the resistance-nodulation-division efflux pumps MexAB-OprM, MexCD-OprJ, MexEF-OprN, and MexXY-OprM, the AmpC β-lactamase, and the porin OprD, which are commonly associated with chromosomally encoded AMR. Next, qPCRs were tested on 15 sputa from 11 participants with P. aeruginosa respiratory infections to determine AMR profiles in vivo. We confirmed multiplex qPCR testing feasibility directly on sputa, representing a key advancement in in vivo AMR diagnosis. Notably, comparison of sputa with their derived isolates grown in Luria-Bertani broth (±2.5% NaCl) or a 5-antibiotic cocktail showed marked expression differences, illustrating the difficulty in replicating in vivo expression profiles in vitro. Cystic fibrosis sputa showed significantly reduced mexE and mexY expression compared with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease sputa, despite harboring fluoroquinolone- and aminoglycoside-resistant strains, indicating that these loci do not contribute to AMR in vivo. oprD was also significantly downregulated in cystic fibrosis sputa, even in the absence of contemporaneous carbapenem use, suggesting a common adaptive trait in chronic infections that may affect carbapenem efficacy. Sputum ampC expression was highest in participants receiving carbapenems (6.7 to 15×), some of whom were simultaneously receiving cephalosporins, the latter of which would be rendered ineffective by the upregulated ampC. Our qPCR assays provide valuable insights into the P. aeruginosa resistome, and their use on clinical specimens will permit timely treatment alterations that will improve patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship measures.
| S-EPMC9112894 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Diagnosis of Blastocystis in stool may be challenging, as microscopic examination and culture-based methods have demonstrated low sensitivity. Molecular detection assays are now available for this enteric parasite, based on "in-house" or commercial-developed techniques. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the performance of (i) two DNA extraction methods (manual versus automated), and (ii) four qPCR assays (three "in-house" and one commercialized), for detection of Blastocystis sp. in human stools. One hundred and forty stools were included, among which 76 were confirmed to be positive for Blastocystis. The manual DNA extraction method allowed for the identification of significantly more positive specimens than the automated method (p < 0.05). In particular, specimens with a low parasite load were negative when DNA was extracted with the automated process. The four qPCR assays also had variable performances, with the commercialized assay being the most sensitive (84%) but the least specific (82%). Overall, for all qPCR assays, the specificity decreased when the sensitivity increased. Blastocystis' subtype, notably the subtype 4, influenced these performances. Our results indicate that the positivity rate for the detection of Blastocystis in stools could be variable according to the DNA extraction method and the qPCR assay used. These pitfalls need to be considered for the selection of method and interpretation of results, particularly considering the search of this intestinal parasite in a donor before fecal microbiota transplantation.
| S-EPMC7696706 | biostudies-literature