Volume 8, Number 7—July 2002
Research
Infection by Ralstonia Species in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Identification of R. pickettii and R. mannitolilytica by Polymerase Chain Reaction
Table
Sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the identification of Ralstonia mannitolilytica and R. pickettii
No. of strains | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Primer pair and species tested | Sensitivity (%) | Specificity (%) | Positive | Negative |
Rp-F1/Rp-R1 | ||||
R. pickettii (n=27) | 89 | 99 | 24 | 3a |
All others (n=125) | 1b | 124 | ||
Rm-F1/Rm-R1 | ||||
R. mannitolilytica (n=34) | 100 | 99 | 34 | 0 |
All others (n=118) | 1c | 117 |
aOf the three R. pickettii isolates that gave a false-negative reaction in this PCR test, two were identified as R. pickettii by the referring laboratory, while one was received unidentified.
bOne unidentified Ralstonia sp. isolate cross-reacted with this primer pair.
cOne R. pickettii isolate cross-reacted with this primer pair.