Comparison of PCR assay to culture for surveillance detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Oct;41(10):4805-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.10.4805-4807.2003.

Abstract

Direct multiplex PCR assay using vanA and vanB primers, which provides rapid results, was more sensitive than culture on selective media for samples collected by rectal swab (20 of 46 versus 8 of 46; P < 0.001) or perianal swab (17 of 58 versus 12 of 58; P = 0.059) for the detection of gastrointestinal colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / genetics
  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Enterococcus / drug effects
  • Enterococcus / genetics
  • Enterococcus / growth & development*
  • Enterococcus / isolation & purification
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Vancomycin Resistance*

Substances

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