RESUMO
Purpose: This study aimed to develop an improved method for the detection of bacterial SHV-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). Materials and Methods: Our method was based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in which the amplification of the product was monitored with a fluorescent probe. This method enabled the detection of bla SHV genes with high degrees of sensitivity and specificity. Results: Based on ESBL phenotyping methods and bla gene DNA sequencing, we identified 240 bla genes from 662 Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical culture specimens. Of these 240 isolates, 26 had the bla SHV-28 genotype and three had the bla SHV-1 genotype. With our new real-time PCR assay, we detected 29 out of 29 bla SHV genes in ESBL-producing isolates. Conclusion: This method represents a powerful tool for epidemiological studies of SHV ESBLs. Furthermore, it has potential for use in diagnostic microbiology.
RESUMO
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative agent of non-A and non-B viral hepatitis. Factors associated with disease progression following HCV infection include the viral genotype, the patient's alcohol consumption and viral load. In this study, the COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR test, a commercially available quantitative assay for HCV RNA, was used for HCV genotyping analysis. Amplification products obtained from 100 HCV-positive cases were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) typing using a single pair of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes and melting-curve analysis. Of 100 samples tested, two inhibited the PCR, two samples yielded discrepancies between our results and the reference laboratory results and the remaining samples provided correct typing. The present report suggests that HCV genotypes can be determined rapidly with FRET probes directly from COBAS AMPLICOR MONITOR test PCR products.