Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by PCR in hospital air samples

J Hosp Infect. 2004 Dec;58(4):262-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2004.04.026.

Abstract

Tuberculosis remains a health problem in many developed countries. After the development of a sedimentation method, a semi-quantitative approach for bioaerosol monitoring of Mycobacterium tuberculosis based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was adapted for direct detection in air. Bovine serum albumin was added to override airborne environmental particle PCR inhibitors. The method gave positive results in hospital rooms where tubercular pneumonia patients were hospitalized during the first days after their diagnosis.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Air Microbiology*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / prevention & control