Applicability of Roche cobas amplicor PCR for detection of M.tuberculosis in clinical respiratory specimens

The Cohas Amplicor Mycobacterium tuberculosis [CAMTB] assay was evaluated for routine detection and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex [MT-BC]. 80 sputum samples from 80 suspected patients were tested by AFB smear, Lowenstein -Jensen media culture and by CAMTB. 50 patients were sputum AFB smear negative and patients were subjected to bronchoscopy for bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] samples which were tested by the same methods, and results were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the CAMTB with sputum samples were 95%, 90%, 90 and 94% respectively

Rapid and direct detection of MRSA in nasal swabs

Screening for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] is a key aspect of infection control to limit the nosocomial spread of this organism. Current methods for the detection of MRSA in clinical microbiology laboratories, including molecularly based techniques, require a culture step and the isolation of pure colonies with minimum 24 hours until a result is known. In this study we tried the use of a newly issue system Gen X pert MRSA Assay system with a real-time PCR concept to directly detect MRSA in nasal swabs. The results were compared to that of the culture method. The sensitivity and specificity of that system were 88% and 99%