Chapin K, Lauderdale T L
University of South Alabama, Mobile, USA.
J Clin Microbiol. 1997 Aug;35(8):2157-9. doi: 10.1128/jcm.35.8.2157-2159.1997.
The Air Thermal Cycler (ATC) (Idaho Technology, Idaho Falls, Idaho) utilizes the unique technology of small-volume glass capillary tubes and high-velocity air for the heating and cooling medium for the PCR. Standard heat block thermal cycler (HBTC) and ATC performance characteristics were compared for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sensitivity was 100% for all smear-positive, M. tuberculosis culture-positive specimens for both the HBTC and the ATC. Of smear-negative, M. tuberculosis culture-positive specimens, sensitivity was 42.9% with the HBTC and 22.0% with the ATC. Specificity was 100% for both assay systems. Total assay time was 6.5 and 4 h and the reagent cost was 84 and 32 cents for the HBTC and ATC, respectively. The ATC offered an excellent alternative to the traditional HBTC for diagnosis of M. tuberculosis in smear-positive specimens by PCR.
空气热循环仪(ATC)(爱达荷技术公司,爱达荷州爱达荷福尔斯)利用小体积玻璃毛细管和高速空气的独特技术作为聚合酶链反应(PCR)的加热和冷却介质。比较了标准热块式热循环仪(HBTC)和ATC在检测结核分枝杆菌方面的性能特征。对于所有涂片阳性、结核分枝杆菌培养阳性的标本,HBTC和ATC的灵敏度均为100%。在涂片阴性、结核分枝杆菌培养阳性的标本中,HBTC的灵敏度为42.9%,ATC的灵敏度为22.0%。两种检测系统的特异性均为100%。HBTC和ATC的总检测时间分别为6.5小时和4小时,试剂成本分别为84美分和32美分。对于通过PCR诊断涂片阳性标本中的结核分枝杆菌,ATC是传统HBTC的绝佳替代方案。