Development of a dry-reagent mix-based polymerase chain reaction as a novel tool for the identification of species and its comparison with conventional polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial infections are often caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria and the incidence is increasing. , a Gram-negative bacillus, is commonly associated with the use of intravascular catheterization and airway intubation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification of from samples has been standardized that use conventional wet-reagent mix. We have designed and optimized a dry-reagent mix for identification of species by PCR. The dry-reagent mix can be stored at room temperature, has less chances of contamination, and thus can be used at point-of-care diagnosis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The present work was focused on comparing the sensitivity and specificity of dry-reagent PCR mix over conventional wet-reagent PCR mix for identification of species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Conventional wet-reagent mix based and dry-reagent mix based PCR were carried out for the DNA isolated from . The latter was also applied directly on bacterial growth without prior DNA extraction process. Equal numbers of bacterial isolates other than species were also subjected to identification by the same protocols for determining the sensitivity and specificity of the test.

RESULTS

The species showed amplification of the target gene and the band was observed at 397 bp. The dry-reagent PCR mix results matched completely with the conventional wet-reagent PCR mix assay. All the non- isolates were negative for the PCR. This indicates that the test is highly specific. The dry-reagent mix also contained an enzyme resistant to PCR inhibitors and capable of amplifying DNA directly from cells.

CONCLUSION

Performance of dry-reagent PCR mix without the need for DNA extraction and preparation of a PCR mix proved to be more sensitive and reduce the handling error, minimizes the time, manual work, and skilled labor.