Laboratory experience and guidelines for avoiding false positive polymerase chain reaction results

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dc.contributor.authorVictor T.
dc.contributor.authorJordaan A.
dc.contributor.authorDu Toit R.
dc.contributor.authorVan Heiden P.D.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:16:19Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:16:19Z
dc.date.issued1993
dc.description.abstractDespite the widespread use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of infectious diseases, the technology has not been generally introduced into routine diagnostic laboratories. One of the most serious problems which has influenced the acceptance of this technology is the occurrence of false positive PCR results. This study describes the experience, in a hospital laboratory setting, of using PCR for the diagnosis of heat-labile enterotoxin-producing E. coli, M. tuberculosis, M. paratuberculosis and human papillomavirus. Results indicate that a build-up of amplicons, generated during the amplification process in the laboratory, is the main source of PCR-contamination. Protocols are described that include both physical and chemical procedures to prevent contamination. The use of photo-induced psoralen is recommended for those laboratories already involved in PCR work where amplicons are likely to be present. An enzymatic system (uracil-N-glycosylase) was evaluated and is recommended for workers intending to start diagnostic PCR. Attention was given to simple control measures which are easily implemented in a routine diagnostic laboratory. Protocols such as these are likely to have a major impact on the introduction of PCR-based methods into routine laboratories.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationEuropean Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry
dc.identifier.citation31
dc.identifier.citation8
dc.identifier.issn09394974
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/13728
dc.subjectpsoralen
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectbacterial infection
dc.subjectbacterium detection
dc.subjectcontamination
dc.subjectdiagnostic value
dc.subjectenterobacter infection
dc.subjectgene amplification
dc.subjecthospital laboratory
dc.subjectlaboratory diagnosis
dc.subjectmycobacteriosis
dc.subjectmycobacterium paratuberculosis
dc.subjectmycobacterium tuberculosis
dc.subjectnonhuman
dc.subjectpapilloma virus
dc.subjectpolymerase chain reaction
dc.subjectpriority journal
dc.subjectvirus infection
dc.subjectBacteria
dc.subjectBacterial Infections
dc.subjectDiagnostic Tests, Routine
dc.subjectFalse Positive Reactions
dc.subjectHuman
dc.subjectLaboratories, Hospital
dc.subjectPapillomavirus, Human
dc.subjectPolymerase Chain Reaction
dc.subjectPredictive Value of Tests
dc.subjectVirus Diseases
dc.titleLaboratory experience and guidelines for avoiding false positive polymerase chain reaction results
dc.typeArticle
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