Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA by real-time quantitative PCR

A real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify human cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA. This assay was used to demonstrate a higher CMV DNA load in plasma of bone marrow transplant patients than in that of blood donors. The CMV load was higher in CMV antigen-positive patients than in antigen-negative patients.     

Detection of hemizygosity in Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome by quantitative real-time PCR

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding diathesis and, in some patients, pulmonary fibrosis or granulomatous colitis. HPS is associated with biosynthesis defects of melanosomes, platelet-dense bodies, and lysosomes. There are seven genetic HPS subtypes; HPS-1 is the most common. We used a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) approach to investigate six HPS-1 patients, previously assigned as having homozygous mutations in the HPS1 gene. HPS1 gene copy numbers, calculated by use of a comparative Ct method, revealed that one patient was in fact hemizygous for her c.1189delC (S396delC) HPS1 mutation. The causative deletion/insertion was 13,966 bp in size, with defined breakpoints, and involved an adjacent gene (C10orf33). A mechanism of formation is proposed for the deletion/insertion, and both multiplex and qPCR indicated that the deletion/insertion was present in the patient, her brother, and her father. qPCR amplification is valuable for detecting deletions too small to be identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. This demonstration of hemizygosity, performed using genomic DNA, can eliminate concerns about non-paternity and can verify the diagnosis of an autosomal recessive disorder when a DNA alteration appears to be homozygous by standard PCR and sequencing methods, and its pathogenicity is in doubt.     

母体循环中胎儿游离DNA的定量分析

目的依据孕妇血浆中存在游离胎儿DNA的理论，从孕妇外周血浆中分离出胎儿DNA并加以鉴定，预防x连锁遗传病患儿的出生。方法从孕早期、中期共78名孕妇外周血浆中分离胎儿DNA，用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction，FQ—PCR）的方法检测其中的Y性别决定区（sex—determining region Y，SRY）基因。结果孕早期怀男胎的孕妇28名，25名SRY基因阳性，其平均浓度为（58．82±25．22）拷贝／ml；孕中期怀男胎的孕妇20名，SRY基因均为阳性，平均为（152．08±62．61）拷贝／ml；怀女胎的孕妇均为阴性。结论用实时荧光定量PCR的方法最早在孕62天的孕妇外周血浆中就可以检测到胎儿SRY基因，随孕周的增加，母血中胎儿DNA的量也在逐渐增加。实时荧光定量PCR技术在进行无创伤性产前性别诊断中有重要的价值。     

用实时荧光定量PCR方法检测母血中的胎儿SRY基因

目的　从孕妇外周血浆中分离出胎儿DNA ,并加以鉴定 ,预防X连锁遗传病患儿的出生。方法　从孕早期、中期共 3 0 0名孕妇外周血浆中分离胎儿DNA ,用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应 (fluorescencequantitativepolymerasechainreaction ,FQ PCR)的方法检测其中的Y性别决定区 (sex determiningregionY ,SRY)基因。结果　孕早期怀男胎的孕妇 82名 ,70名SRY基因阳性 ,其平均浓度为 ( 5 8.82± 2 0 .90 )拷贝 /ml,中位数为 5 8.5 0拷贝 /ml。孕中期怀男胎的孕妇 90名 ,SRY基因均为阳性 ,平均为 ( 15 2 .0 8± 62 61)拷贝 /ml,中位数为 14 9.3 5拷贝 /ml。怀女胎的孕妇均为阴性。结论　用实时荧光定量PCR的方法最早在孕42天的孕妇外周血浆中就可以检测到胎儿SRY基因 ,随孕周的增加 ,母血中胎儿DNA的量也在逐渐增加。实时荧光定量PCR技术在进行无创伤性产前性别诊断中有重要的价值。     

Measurement of human cytomegalovirus loads by quantitative real-time PCR for monitoring clinical intervention in transplant recipients

Quantitative monitoring of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is helpful in determining appropriate antiviral management of transplant recipients. Quantitative PCR technologies have demonstrated accuracy in measuring systemic HCMV loads. A total of 298 consecutive whole-blood specimens submitted to the Clinical Virology Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 15 February to 31 October 1999 were included in the study. In addition to a qualitative colorimetric microtiter plate PCR assay (MTP-PCR) and a semiquantitative pp65 antigenemia assay, each specimen was measured for HCMV loads by a quantitative PCR assay performed on an ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detection System (TaqMan). Compared to results of the MTP-PCR, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 70.5, 97.5, 87.8, and 92.8% for the antigenemia assay and were 96.7, 92.0, 75.6, and 99.1% for the TaqMan assay, respectively. There was a high correlation between antigenemia values and HCMV loads as determined by the TaqMan (r = 0.989; P < 0.001). Antigenemia values of 0, 1 to 10, 11 to 100, 101 to 1,000, and over 1,000 positive cells per 2 x 10(5) leukocytes corresponded to median HCMV loads measured by TaqMan of 125, 1,593, 5,713, 16,825, and 5,425,000 copies/ml, respectively. Corresponding to antigenemia values of 1 to 2, 10, and 50 positive cells per 2 x 10(5) leukocytes, HCMV viral loads of 1,000, 4,000, and 10,000 copies/ml are proposed as cutoff points for initiating antiviral therapy in patient groups with high, intermediate, and low risk of CMV diseases.     

Whole blood real-time quantitative PCR for cytomegalovirus infection follow-up in transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a major opportunistic agent among transplant recipients. While detection of CMV pp65-lower matrix protein (pp65Ag) is still widely used for monitoring CMV infection, real-time PCR assays have been recently developed for routine quantitation of CMV DNA. However, correlations are lacking between results of pp65Ag and quantitative PCR assays and there is no consensus yet as to the more appropriate blood compartment (whole blood (WB), leukocytes, plasma) to be tested with PCR assays. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to determine, in a population of transplant recipients: (i) the correlation between pp65Ag and CMV quantitative real-time PCR in our setting and (ii) the utility of plasma CMV DNA quantitation in comparison to WB quantitation. METHODS: In 170 blood samples (from 61 solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients) with pp65Ag results, CMV quantitation was performed in WB and plasma using an in-house real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Real-time PCR and pp65Ag results in WB were correlated: thresholds of 10 and 50(+) cells/200,000 cells were equivalent to 3.3 log(10)copies/mL (2,000 copies/mL) and 3.8 log(10)copies/mL (6,300 copies/mL), respectively. When WB viral load was >or=3.6 log(10)copies/mL, the risk to have a negative plasma CMV DNA result was 相似文献   

Detection and quantitation of hepatitis E virus in human faeces by real-time quantitative PCR

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is the causative agent of an acute and self-limited form of hepatitis. The virus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route and is a major cause of viral hepatitis in much of the developing world where it causes sporadic infections and large-scale epidemics. A simple and rapid protocol for the measurement of HEV faecal shedding by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the SYBR Green method on a LightCycler instrument, is described. After only 3h the real-time quantitative PCR method detected 10 molecules of HEV cDNA fragment per reaction tube and showed a high linear dynamic range of quantitation (10-10(6) molecules of cDNA/reaction) with a good correlation (r = -1.00). Its specificity was confirmed by assay in human faecal samples.     

Detection and differentiation of human parvovirus variants by commercial quantitative real-time PCR tests

Parvovirus B19 causes a variety of diseases in humans, with outcomes ranging from asymptomatic to severe, such as chronic anemia in immunocompromised patients or fetal hydrops and death after maternal infection during pregnancy. The virus may be transmitted via plasma-derived products. According to the results of solvent-detergent safety studies, an upper limit of B19 DNA in plasma pools was recently defined. To restrict the input of B19 virus into production pools, a quantitative nucleic acid test is a prerequisite. We examined the suitability of the two commercial quantitative B19 PCR tests, LightCycler-Parvovirus B19 quantification kit (Roche Diagnostics) and RealArt Parvo B19 LC PCR (Artus) for detection, quantification, and differentiation of the three known B19 genotypes, including the newly described erythrovirus variants (genotypes 2 and 3). The former kit was highly sensitive for genotype 1 but was not suitable for detection of genotype 2 or one of two genotype 3 strains. The latter kit detected and differentiated all three genotypes, albeit with lower sensitivity for one of the genotype-3 strains. We furthermore assessed the prevalence of the three B19 virus genotypes in blood donors, by screening pooled plasma samples derived from 140,160 Finnish blood-donor units. None of the pools contained detectable levels of B19 virus genotypes 2 or 3. The origin, mode of transmission, and clinical significance of these genotypes are unknown and deserve further study. The RealArt Parvo B19 LC PCR is suitable for detection, quantification, and differentiation of all three B19 virus genotypes in molecular and clinical research.     

Quantitation of human cytomegalovirus in recipients of solid organ transplants by real-time quantitative PCR and pp65 antigenemia

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and anti-HCMV treatment are usually monitored by measuring pp65 antigenemia. This method is time-consuming, labour-intensive and requires skilled operators. We have compared results obtained using real-time Light Cycler quantitative PCR (QPCR) and the pp65 antigen assay on serial samples collected from recipients of solid organ transplants. We collected 198 blood samples from 14 solid organ transplant recipients and assayed them for pp65 antigen and with Light Cycler PCR. HCMV DNA was extracted from leukocytes and measured using primers and probe located in the UL83 region. The quantity of HCMV DNA was calculated using a standard curve prepared from a plasmid containing the target sequence. There was a good correlation between the number of pp65-positive cells and the DNA copy number (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001). A clinical threshold of 50 positive polymorphonuclear leukocytes/200,000 cells was equivalent to two log10 genome copies per capillary by Light Cycler PCR. HCMV DNA was detected before pp65 antigen in three patients at a mean time of 10 days, whereas the two tests were positive simultaneously for eight patients. Both the pp65 antigen data and DNA copy number decreased over time during antiviral treatment, although the QPCR was positive 28.2 days after the pp65 antigen assay had become negative. The real-time Light Cycler quantitative PCR assay is a rapid and labour-saving technique. This molecular method could be useful for monitoring infections and antiviral treatment in recipients of solid organ transplants.     

实时荧光定量PCR检测沙眼衣原体的研究

目的采用TaqMan探针建立检测沙眼衣原体的实时荧光定量PCR（real-time PCR）方法。方法根据沙眼衣原体外膜蛋白A的基因（ompA）序列设计引物和探针,以克隆的ompA部分基因片段作DNA模板,建立实时荧光定量检测方法。结果建立的荧光定量PCR检测方法的最低检出限为5 copies/反应,检测线性范围100～107线性关系良好（r2=0.997）,比巢式PCR敏感100倍;且与鹦鹉热衣原体、淋球菌、解脲脲原体、大肠杆菌等病原菌DNA以及人基因组DNA均无交叉反应,表明该方法具有良好的特异性。以巢式PCR作参比,建立的荧光定量PCR法检测沙眼衣原体的阳性符合率为100.00%,阴性符合率为95.09%,总符合率为96.81%。结论建立的检测沙眼衣原体实时荧光定量PCR具有特异性强和敏感性高的特点,可快速检测样本中微量沙眼衣原体DNA,适用于对沙眼衣原体进行大规模筛选。     

Diagnosis of invasive mold infection by real-time quantitative PCR

We report the design and evaluation of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to diagnose invasive mold infection (IMI) by detecting mold DNA in the serum. This assay detected 200 fg to 20 ng (5-log range) mold DNA and permitted a cutoff of 110 fg (3 genomes). Human or candidal DNA was not amplified. Specificity also was demonstrated by negative results in all 35 patients (76 serum samples) with unlikely IMI at the cutoff. For patients with possible, probable, and documented IMI diagnosed by a combination of clinical, microbiologic, and histologic criteria, this real-time PCR showed positivity in 40% (12/30), 68% (19/28), and 85% (11/13) cases, respectively, in testing of multiple serum samples. The overall serum positivity rate for these patients was 15.1% (73/483). Quantitative analysis of the positive serum samples estimated the bodily circulating mold burden to be 1.6 x 10(5) genomes (5.3 ng) by geometric mean with 4.2 x 10(7) genomes (1,400 ng) the highest. These results suggest that for the diagnosis of IMI, this real-time PCR may be a promising alternative to other invasive methods. Further evaluation is underway.     

Detection of Yersinia pestis in sputum by real-time PCR

A 5' nuclease PCR assay for detection of the Yersinia pestis plasminogen activator (pla) gene in human respiratory specimens with simulated Y. pestis infection was developed. An internal positive control was added to the reaction mixture in order to detect the presence of PCR inhibitors that are often found in biological samples. The assay was 100% specific for Y. pestis. In the absence of inhibitors, a sensitivity of 10(2) CFU/ml of respiratory fluid was obtained. When inhibitors were present, detection of Y. pestis DNA required a longer sample treatment time and an initial concentration of bacteria of at least 10(4) CFU/ml. The test's total turnaround time was less than 5 h. The assay described here is well suited to the rapid diagnosis of pneumonic plague, the form of plague most likely to result from a bioterrorist attack.     

实时定量PCR检测HBV核酸载量测量不确定度的构成分析

 目的 研究实时荧光定量PCR用于乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）核酸载量检测时的测量不确定度构成。 方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR检测乙型肝炎患者血清标本中HBV核酸载量，收集检测过程中的各类数据，计算以下6种来源的测量不确定度，对该方法的测量不确定度构成进行评估。⑴标本浓缩的不确定度（uenrich）；⑵核酸提取的不确定度（uex）；⑶扩增反应体系的不确定度（upcr）；⑷热循环仪的不确定度（uins）；⑸数据处理的不确定度（uana）；⑹加样枪的不确定度（upip）。其中热循环仪的不确定度检测样本数为7份，其他各种不确定度检测的样本数为10份。 结果 核酸浓度为5.610E+07拷贝/ml的标本，其浓缩过程来源的相对不确定度达0.437；核酸提取来源的浓度真值无偏估计在6.585E+03、9.067E+04、7.223E+06拷贝/ml样本的相对不确定度分别为0.249、0.173、0.140；热循环仪和数据分析来源的相对不确定度分别为0.020和不大于0.050。 结论 标本制备过程中的浓缩和DNA提取步骤所带来的不确定度是实时荧光定量PCR检测HBV核酸载量测量不确定度的主要分量，因此标本制备处理的方法与标准操作程序能否有效地提取核酸并去除PCR反应的抑制物对于该项检测十分关键；起始模板浓度与测量不确定度相关，低浓度的样本显示出更大的相对不确定度。     

实时荧光定量PCR检测乙型肝炎病毒核酸载量的测量不确定度构成分析

目的 研究实时荧光定量PCR用于HBV核酸载量检测时的测量不确定度构成.方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR检测乙型肝炎患者血清标本中HBV核酸载量,收集检测过程中的各类数据,计算以下6种来源的测量不确定度,对该方法的测量不确定度构成进行评估.(1)标本浓缩的不确定度(uenrich);(2)核酸提取的不确定度(uex);(3)扩增反应体系的不确定度(upcr);(4)热循环仪的不确定度(uins);(5)数据处理的不确定度(uana);(6)加样枪的不确定度(upip).其中热循环仪的不确定度检测样本数为7份,其他各种不确定度检测的样本数为10份.结果 核酸浓度为5.610E+07拷贝/ml的标本,其浓缩过程来源的相对不确定度达0.437核酸提取来源的浓度真值无偏估计在6.585E+03、9.067E+04、7.223E+06拷贝/ml样本的相对不确定度分别为0.249、0.173、0.140;热循环仪和数据分析来源的相对不确定度分别为0.020和不大于0.050.结论 标本制备过程中的浓缩和DNA提取步骤所带来的不确定度是实时荧光定量PCR检测HBV核酸载量测量不确定度的主要分量,因此标本制备处理的方法与标准操作程序能否有效地提取核酸并去除PCR反应的抑制物对于该项检测十分关键;起始模板浓度与测量不确定度相关,低浓度的样本显示出更大的相对不确定度.     

实时荧光定量PCR分析脐血T细胞亚群中TRECs水平

近期研究发现成人胸腺仍存在活化T细胞合成的功能，胸腺近期功能需要通过测定胸腺近期输出的幼稚(Naive)T细胞的数量来衡量。而能够作为Naive T细胞的标志的是T细胞受体删除DNA环(T-cell receptor excision DNA circles，TRECs)。我们的前期研究也提供了正常人外周血T细胞和胸腺细胞中TRECs含量的情况，本研究进一步分析脐血中不同组分T细胞的TRECs含量特点。     

Preliminary analysis of AZFb region duplication by quantitative real-time PCR

BACKGROUND: Deletions of the AZFb region on the long arm ofthe human Y chromosome cause male infertility. However, thereciprocal products of these deletion events, AZFb duplications,have not been reported to date. Furthermore, it is not knownwhether potential AZFb duplications represent a risk factorfor spermatogenic failure. METHODS: A total of 150 patientswith male idiopathic subfertility (79 non-obstructive azoospermicsand 71 oligozoospermics) and 150 fertile men were analysed fordeletion/duplication of the sY125 locus and of the JARID1D geneusing real-time PCR. RESULTS: Three azoospermic men had deletionof the sY125 locus and of the JARID1D gene. No duplication wasdetected. CONCLUSIONS: In our limited sample, AZFb duplicationsdo not appear to be associated with male infertility.     

PCR diagnostics and monitoring of adenoviral infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

After stem cell transplantation, human patients are prone to life-threatening opportunistic infections with a plethora of microorganisms. We report a retrospective study on 116 patients (98 children, 18 adults) who were transplanted in a pediatric bone marrow transplantation unit. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected and monitored for adenovirus (AdV) DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) on a regular basis. AdV DNA was detected in 52 (44.8%) patients, with mortality reaching 19% in this subgroup. Variables associated with adenovirus infection were transplantations from matched unrelated donors and older age of the recipient. An increased seasonal occurrence of adenoviral infections was observed in autumn and winter. Analysis of immune reconstitution showed a higher incidence of AdV infections during periods of low T-lymphocyte count. This study also showed a strong interaction between co-infections of AdV and BK polyomavirus in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantations.     

Rapid determination of adenoviral vector titers by quantitative real-time PCR

Replication defective adenoviruses have been used as vectors in a variety of settings including gene transfer, gene manipulation, and functionality studies. A quantitative real-time PCR-based assay is described for rapid determination of physical titers of recombinant adenovirus vectors. This method is based on amplification of a 77 bp fragment located near the left end of the adenovirus type 5 genome. Evaluation of this method demonstrated that it is simple, sensitive and reproducible, and has a dynamic range of quantitation over 5 logs. This assay is applicable to purified adenovirus as well as vectors prepared by simple cell lysis procedure, requiring only a small amount of starting material. The simplicity and short turn-around time of this assay should facilitate rapid titer determination for a large collection of adenoviral vectors.     

Detection of Coccidioides species in clinical specimens by real-time PCR

Coccidioides spp. are dimorphic fungal pathogens endemic to the semiarid regions of North, Central, and South America. Currently, direct smear and culture are the most common means of identifying Coccidioides spp. While these methods offer relatively sensitive and specific means of detecting Coccidioides spp., growth in culture may take up to 3 weeks, potentially delaying the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. In addition, growth of the organism represents a significant safety risk to laboratory personnel. The need for a rapid and safe means of diagnosing coccidioidomycosis prompted us to develop a real-time PCR assay to detect Coccidioides spp. directly from clinical specimens. Primers and fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes were designed to target the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of Coccidioides. The assay's limit of detection is below 50 targets per reaction. An analysis of 40 Coccidioides sp. clinical isolates grown in culture demonstrated 100% sensitivity of the assay. A cross-reactivity panel containing fungi, bacteria, mycobacteria, and viruses was tested and demonstrated 100% specificity for Coccidioides spp. An analysis of 266 respiratory specimens by LightCycler PCR demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity for Coccidioides spp. compared with culture. Analysis of 66 fresh tissue specimens yielded 92.9% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity versus those of the culture method. The sensitivity of the assay testing 148 paraffin-embedded tissue samples is 73.4%. A rapid method for the detection of Coccidioides spp. directly from clinical material will greatly assist in the timely diagnosis and treatment of patients, while at the same time decreasing the risk of accidental exposure to laboratory personnel.