RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To establish a PCR-ELISA and evaluate its use in detecting DNA of Pneumocystis carinii (P. c) in rat model. METHODS: SD rats and Wistar rats were used in the experiment. P. c DNA from rat lung tissue and BALF was amplified by PCR. The amplified products were visualized by ethidium bromide (EB) staining after agarose gel electrophoresis or detected by ELISA. The results were compared with that by Giemsa stain. RESULTS: The positive rate in the two species of rats by the two methods was 96.4% and 100% in lung tissue, 96.4% and 100% in BALF, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05). Giemsa positive samples were all positive by PCR-ELISA. The negative control group had one positive by ELISA in lung tissue and BALF respectively. CONCLUSION: PCR-ELISA shows a high sensitivity and specificity in detecting the DNA of Pneumocystis carinii, which is a secure and easy use method.
