Rapid detection of Van genes in rectal swabs by real time PCR in Southern Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2011 Oct;44(5):631-2. doi: 10.1590/s0037-86822011000500021.

Abstract

Introduction: Laboratory-based surveillance is an important component in the control of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE).

Methods: The study aimed to evaluate real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (genes vanA-vanB) for VRE detection on 115 swabs from patients included in a surveillance program.

Results: Sensitivity of RT-PCR was similar to primary culture (75% and 79.5%, respectively) when compared to broth enriched culture, whereas specificity was 83.1%.

Conclusions: RT-PCR provides same day results, however it showed low sensitivity for VRE detection.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / genetics*
  • Enterococcus / genetics*
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Rectum / microbiology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Vancomycin Resistance / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • VanA ligase, Bacteria
  • VanB protein, Enterococcus
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases