Strand Displacement Amplification and the Polymerase Chain Reaction for Monitoring Response to Treatment in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

摘要: Specific amplification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was investigated as an alternative to conventional microbiologic follow-up in 31 cases smear- and culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. Strand displacement (SDA) the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were applied 438 sequential sputum specimens : 67 (15%) positive by culture, 248 (57%) SDA, 231 (53%) PCR (X 2 = 3.94, P =.05). Of 200 collected >180 days after treatment started, none yielded cultures, while 50 (25%), representing 16 patients, both assays. A weak correlation demonstrated between persistence duration culture positivity (r 0.45, =.01), although no found with radiographic extent disease. The inability distinguish live dead organisms precludes from use therapeutic monitoring. For this purpose, quantitative RNA assays are needed if such techniques supplant microbiology.