Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 37 in total

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  1. Chan PL, Rose RJ, Abdul Murad AM, Zainal Z, Low ET, Ooi LC, et al.
    PLoS One, 2014;9(6):e99774.
    PMID: 24927412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099774
    The somatic embryogenesis tissue culture process has been utilized to propagate high yielding oil palm. Due to the low callogenesis and embryogenesis rates, molecular studies were initiated to identify genes regulating the process, and their expression levels are usually quantified using reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). With the recent release of oil palm genome sequences, it is crucial to establish a proper strategy for gene analysis using RT-qPCR. Selection of the most suitable reference genes should be performed for accurate quantification of gene expression levels.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  2. Rashid SA, Nazakat R, Muhamad Robat R, Ismail R, Suppiah J, Rajendran K, et al.
    Front Public Health, 2023;11:1208348.
    PMID: 37965510 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1208348
    Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may transmit through airborne route particularly when the aerosol particles remain in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation. There has been no standard recommended method of determining the virus in air due to limitations in pre-analytical and technical aspects. Furthermore, the presence of low virus loads in air samples could result in false negatives. Our study aims to explore the feasibility of detecting SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in air samples using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Active and passive air sampling was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022 with the presence of COVID-19 confirmed cases in two hospitals and a quarantine center in Klang Valley, Malaysia. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air was detected and quantified using ddPCR and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The comparability of two different digital PCR platforms (QX200 and QIAcuity) to RT-PCR were also investigated. Additionally negative staining transmission electron microscopy was performed to visualize virus ultrastructure. Detection rates of SARS-CoV-2 in air samples using ddPCR were higher compared to RT-PCR, which were 15.2% (22/145) and 3.4% (5/145), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of ddPCR was 100 and 87%, respectively. After excluding 17 negative samples (50%) by both QX200 and QIAcuity, 15% samples (5/34) were found to be positive both ddPCR and dPCR. There were 23.5% (8/34) samples that were detected positive by ddPCR but negative by dPCR. In contrast, there were 11.7% (4/34) samples that were detected positive by dPCR but negative by ddPCR. The SARS-CoV-2 detection method by ddPCR is precise and has a high sensitivity for viral RNA detection. It could provide advances in determining low viral titter in air samples to reduce false negative reports, which could complement detection by RT-PCR.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
  3. Liam CK, Wong CK, Tan JL
    J Thorac Oncol, 2014 Sep;9(9):e71-2.
    PMID: 25122442 DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0000000000000261
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  4. Wong FL, Hamidah NH, Hawa AA, Nurul AN, Leong CF, Saw F, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2011 Dec;33(2):107-12.
    PMID: 22299211
    Molecular pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is well established and molecular monitoring for patients with CML has become an important practice in the management of patients on imatinib therapy. In the present study, we report the use of RQ-PCR method for detection of BCR-ABL fusion gene for our CML cases. We performed a two-step RQ-PCR on bone marrow aspirates or peripheral blood of 37 CML patients. Quantitative expression of BCR-ABL fusion gene was carried out relative to the expression of a housekeeping gene as endogenous control to compensate for uneven cell numbers, RNA quality, or variations in reverse transcription efficiencies. Twenty-four of these patients were pre-treated with hydroxyurea or alpha interferon prior to the imatinib therapy. Their BCR-ABL fusion gene levels were monitored for 18 months. All samples processed were evaluable. The PCR amplification efficiency of the ABL gene is 90.5% (0.2158) and the BCR-ABL gene, 93.4% (0.1573).
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  5. Rahman MM, Hamid SB, Basirun WJ, Bhassu S, Rashid NR, Mustafa S, et al.
    PMID: 26458055 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2015.1104558
    This paper describes a short-amplicon-based TaqMan probe quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for the quantitative detection of canine meat in chicken nuggets, which are very popular across the world, including Malaysia. The assay targeted a 100-bp fragment of canine cytb gene using a canine-specific primer and TaqMan probe. Specificity against 10 different animals and plants species demonstrated threshold cycles (Ct) of 16.13 ± 0.12 to 16.25 ± 0.23 for canine DNA and negative results for the others in a 40-cycle reaction. The assay was tested for the quantification of up to 0.01% canine meat in deliberately spiked chicken nuggets with 99.7% PCR efficiency and 0.995 correlation coefficient. The analysis of the actual and qPCR predicted values showed a high recovery rate (from 87% ± 28% to 112% ± 19%) with a linear regression close to unity (R(2) = 0.999). Finally, samples of three halal-branded commercial chicken nuggets collected from different Malaysian outlets were screened for canine meat, but no contamination was demonstrated.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  6. Ali ME, Hashim U, Mustafa S, Che Man YB, Dhahi TS, Kashif M, et al.
    Meat Sci, 2012 Aug;91(4):454-9.
    PMID: 22444666 DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2012.02.031
    A test for assessing pork adulteration in meatballs, using TaqMan probe real-time polymerase chain reaction, was developed. The assay combined porcine-specific primers and TaqMan probe for the detection of a 109 bp fragment of porcine cytochrome b gene. Specificity test with 10 ng DNA of eleven different species yielded a threshold cycle (Ct) of 15.5 ± 0.20 for the pork and negative results for the others. Analysis of beef meatballs with spiked pork showed the assay can determine 100-0.01% contaminated pork with 102% PCR efficiency, high linear regression (r(2) = 0.994) and ≤ 6% relative errors. Residuals analysis revealed a high precision in all determinations. Random analysis of commercial meatballs from pork, beef, chicken, mutton and goat, yielded a Ct between 15.89 ± 0.16 and 16.37 ± 0.22 from pork meatballs and negative results from the others, showing the suitability of the assay to determine pork in commercial meatballs with a high accuracy and precision.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  7. Cowley JA, Rao M, Coman GJ
    Dis Aquat Organ, 2018 Jul 04;129(2):145-158.
    PMID: 29972375 DOI: 10.3354/dao03243
    Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) can cause mass mortalities in western blue shrimp Penaeus stylirostris, runt deformity syndrome in Pacific white shrimp P. vannamei and scalloped abdominal shell deformities in black tiger shrimp P. monodon. In P. monodon, however, PCR-based diagnosis of IHHNV can be complicated by the presence of a chromosome-integrated, non-replicating endogenous viral element (EVE). To facilitate high-throughput screening of P. monodon for IHHNV infection and/or EVE sequences, here we report real-time PCR tests designed to specifically detect IHHNV Lineage I, II and III but not EVE Type A sequences and vice versa. Using 108 dsDNA copies of plasmid (p)DNA controls containing either IHHNV or EVE-Type A sequences, both tests displayed absolute specificity. The IHHNV-q309 PCR reliably detected down to ≤10 copies of pDNA, at which levels a 309F/R PCR amplicon was just detectable, and the presence of an IHHNV-EVE sequence did not significantly impact its sensitivity. The IHHNV-qEVE PCR was similarly sensitive. Testing of batches of P. monodon clinical samples from Vietnam/Malaysia and Australia identified good diagnostic concordance between the IHHNV-q309 and 309F/R PCR tests. As expected for a sequence integrated into host chromosomal DNA, IHHNV-qEVE PCR Ct values were highly uniform among samples from shrimp in which an EVE was present. The highly specific and sensitive IHHNV-q309 and IHHNV-qEVE real-time PCR tests described here should prove useful for selecting broodstock free of IHHNV infection and in maintaining breeding populations of P. monodon specific pathogen free for IHHNV, and if desired, also free of IHHNV-EVE sequences.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  8. Makhtar ST, Tan SW, Nasruddin NA, Abdul Aziz NA, Omar AR, Mustaffa-Kamal F
    BMC Vet Res, 2021 Mar 23;17(1):128.
    PMID: 33757494 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02837-6
    BACKGROUND: Morbilliviruses are categorized under the family of Paramyxoviridae and have been associated with severe diseases, such as Peste des petits ruminants, canine distemper and measles with evidence of high morbidity and/or could cause major economic loss in production of livestock animals, such as goats and sheep. Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) is one of the members of Morbilliviruses that has been speculated to cause chronic kidney disease in cats even though a definite relationship is still unclear. To date, FeMV has been detected in several continents, such as Asia (Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia), Europe (Italy, German, Turkey), Africa (South Africa), and South and North America (Brazil, Unites States). This study aims to develop a TaqMan real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay targeting the N gene of FeMV in clinical samples to detect early phase of FeMV infection.

    RESULTS: A specific assay was developed, since no amplification was observed in viral strains from the same family of Paramyxoviridae, such as canine distemper virus (CDV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and measles virus (MeV), and other feline viruses, such as feline coronavirus (FCoV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). The lower detection limit of the assay was 1.74 × 104 copies/μL with Cq value of 34.32 ± 0.5 based on the cRNA copy number. The coefficient of variations (CV) values calculated for both intra- and inter-assay were low, ranging from 0.34-0.53% and 1.38-2.03%, respectively. In addition, the clinical sample evaluation using this assay showed a higher detection rate, with 25 (35.2%) clinical samples being FeMV-positive compared to 11 (15.5%) using conventional RT-PCR, proving a more sensitive assay compared to the conventional RT-PCR.

    CONCLUSIONS: The TaqMan-based real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the N gene described in this study is more sensitive, specific, rapid, and reproducible compared to the conventional RT-PCR assay targeting the N gene, which could be used to detect early infection in cats.

    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
  9. Tan GW, Tan LP
    Methods Mol Biol, 2017;1580:7-19.
    PMID: 28439823 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6866-4_2
    Reverse transcription followed by real-time or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard for validation of results from transcriptomic profiling studies such as microarray and RNA sequencing. The current need for most studies, especially biomarker studies, is to evaluate the expression levels or fold changes of many transcripts in a large number of samples. With conventional low to medium throughput qPCR platforms, many qPCR plates would have to be run and a significant amount of RNA input per sample will be required to complete the experiments. This is particularly challenging when the size of study material (small biopsy, laser capture microdissected cells, biofluid, etc.), time, and resources are limited. A sensitive and high-throughput qPCR platform is therefore optimal for the evaluation of many transcripts in a large number of samples because the time needed to complete the entire experiment is shortened and the usage of lab consumables as well as RNA input per sample are low. Here, the methods of high-throughput RT-qPCR for the analysis of circulating microRNAs are described. Two distinctive qPCR chemistries (probe-based and intercalating dye-based) can be applied using the methods described here.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  10. Hossain MAM, Ali ME, Sultana S, Asing, Bonny SQ, Kader MA, et al.
    J Agric Food Chem, 2017 May 17;65(19):3975-3985.
    PMID: 28481513 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b00730
    Cattle, buffalo, and porcine materials are widely adulterated, and their quantification might safeguard health, religious, economic, and social sanctity. Recently, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assays have been documented but they are just suitable for identification, cannot quantify adulterations. We described here a quantitative tetraplex real-time PCR assay with TaqMan Probes to quantify contributions from cattle, buffalo, and porcine materials simultaneously. Amplicon-sizes were very short (106-, 90-, and 146-bp for cattle, buffalo, and porcine) because longer targets could be broken down, bringing serious ambiguity in molecular diagnostics. False negative detection was eliminated through an endogenous control (141-bp site of eukaryotic 18S rRNA). Analysis of 27 frankfurters and 27 meatballs reflected 84-115% target recovery at 0.1-10% adulterations. Finally, a test of 36 commercial products revealed 71% beef frankfurters, 100% meatballs, and 85% burgers contained buffalo adulteration, but no porcine was found in beef products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  11. Sultan S, Nasir MI, Rafiq S, Baig MA, Akbani S, Irfan SM
    Malays J Pathol, 2017 Aug;39(2):149-154.
    PMID: 28866696
    BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion safety commences with healthy donor recruitment. The threat of transfusion transmitted infections is greatly minimized by serological tools but not entirely eliminated. Recently, nucleic-acid testing for blood donor screening has virtually eliminated this jeopardy.

    METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from February 2015 to February 2016. Samples from seronegative donors were run on multiplex assay (Cobas, S-201 system platform, Roche) in a batch of six [MP-NAT]. In case of reactive pool, tests were run on every individual sample [IDNAT].

    RESULTS: Of 16957 donors, 16836 (99.2%) were replacement donors and the remaining 121 (0.7%) were voluntary donors, with a mean age of 29.09 ± 7.04 years. After serologic screening of all 16957 donors, 955 (5.6%) were found to be reactive; 291(1.71%) were reactive for hepatitis-B surface antigen, 361 (2.12%) for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), 14 (0.08%) for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus, 287 (1.69%) for syphilis and 2 (0.01%) for malaria. 14 (0.08%) NAT reactive donors were identified after testing the 16002 seronegative donors, with an overall NAT yield of one reactivity out of 1143 blood donations; 10 donors for HBV-DNA (HBV NAT yield-1:1600) and remaining 4 for HCV-RNA (HCV-NAT yield-1:4000). None were HIV positive.

    CONCLUSION: NAT has improved the safety attributes in blood products. Although the positivity rate for NAT testing is low but in view of the high prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections in our country, we recommend the parallel use of both serology and NAT screening of all donated blood.

    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  12. Mohamad NA, Mustafa S, Khairil Mokhtar NF, El Sheikha AF
    J Sci Food Agric, 2018 Sep;98(12):4570-4577.
    PMID: 29505123 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8985
    BACKGROUND: The pharmaceutical industry has boosted gelatin consumption worldwide. This is supported by the availability of cost-effective gelatin production from porcine by-products. However, cross-contamination of gelatin materials, where porcine gelatin was unintentionally included in the other animal sources of gelatin, has caused significant concerns about halal authenticity. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has enabled a highly specific and sensitive animal species detection method in various food products. Hence, such a technique was employed in the present study to detect and quantify porcine DNA in gelatin using a molecular beacon probe, with differences in performance between mitochondrial (cytochrome b gene) and chromosomal DNA-(MPRE42 repetitive element) based porcine-specific PCR assays being compared.

    RESULTS: A higher sensitivity was observed in chromosomal DNA (MPRE-PCR assay), where this assay allows the detection of gelatin DNA at amounts as as low as 1 pg, whereas mitochondrial DNA (CBH-PCR assay) can only detect at levels down to 10 pg of gelatin DNA. When an analysis with commercial gelatin and gelatin capsule samples was conducted, the same result was observed, with a significantly more sensitive detection being provided by the repetitive element of chromosomal DNA.

    CONCLUSION: The present study has established highly sensitive DNA-based porcine detection systems derived from chromosomal DNA that are feasible for highly processed products such as gelatin and gelatin capsules containing a minute amount of DNA. This sensitive detection method can also be implemented to assist the halal authentication process of various food products available on the market. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  13. Lau YL, Ismail IB, Mustapa NIB, Lai MY, Tuan Soh TS, Haji Hassan A, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(1):e0245164.
    PMID: 33406112 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245164
    Rapid diagnosis is an important intervention in managing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak. Real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) remains the primary means for diagnosing the new virus strain but it is time consuming and costly. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is an isothermal amplification assay that does not require a PCR machine. It is an affordable, rapid, and simple assay. In this study, we developed and optimized a sensitive reverse transcription (RT)-RPA assay for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using SYBR Green I and/or lateral flow (LF) strip. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the RT-RPA assay were tested by using 10-fold serial diluted synthetic RNA and genomic RNA of similar viruses, respectively. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of the RT-RPA assay were carried out using 78 positive and 35 negative nasopharyngeal samples. The detection limit of both RPA and RT-qPCR assays was 7.659 and 5 copies/μL RNA, respectively with no cross reactivity with other viruses. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of RT-RPA were 98% and 100%, respectively. Our study showed that RT-RPA represents a viable alternative to RT-qPCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, especially in areas with limited infrastructure.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  14. Teoh BT, Sam SS, Tan KK, Johari J, Abd-Jamil J, Hooi PS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016 06 09;6:27663.
    PMID: 27278716 DOI: 10.1038/srep27663
    Timely and accurate dengue diagnosis is important for differential diagnosis and immediate implementation of appropriate disease control measures. In this study, we compared the usefulness and applicability of NS1 RDT (NS1 Ag Strip) and qRT-PCR tests in complementing the IgM ELISA for dengue diagnosis on single serum specimen (n = 375). The NS1 Ag Strip and qRT-PCR showed a fair concordance (κ = 0.207, p = 0.001). While the NS1 Ag Strip showed higher positivity than qRT-PCR for acute (97.8% vs. 84.8%) and post-acute samples (94.8% vs. 71.8%) of primary infection, qRT-PCR showed higher positivity for acute (58.1% vs. 48.4%) and post-acute (50.0% vs.41.4%) samples in secondary infection. IgM ELISA showed higher positivity in samples from secondary dengue (74.2-94.8%) than in those from primary dengue (21.7-64.1%). More primary dengue samples showed positive with combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA (99.0% vs. 92.8%) whereas more secondary samples showed positive with combined qRT-PCR/IgM ELISA (99.4% vs. 96.2%). Combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA is a suitable combination tests for timely and accurate dengue diagnosis on single serum specimen. If complemented with qRT-PCR, combined NS1 Ag Strip/IgM ELISA would improve detection of secondary dengue samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  15. Lau YL, Anthony C, Fakhrurrazi SA, Ibrahim J, Ithoi I, Mahmud R
    Parasit Vectors, 2013;6(1):250.
    PMID: 23985047 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-250
    Amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica is the third leading cause of death worldwide. This pathogenic amoeba is morphologically indistinguishable from E. dispar and E. moshkovskii, the non-pathogenic species. Polymerase chain reaction is the current method of choice approved by World Health Organization. Real-time PCR is another attractive molecular method for diagnosis of infectious diseases as post-PCR analyses are eliminated and turnaround times are shorter. The present work aimed to compare the results of Entamoeba species identification using the real-time assay against the established nested PCR method.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  16. Chiam CW, Chan YF, Loong SK, Yong SS, Hooi PS, Sam IC
    Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2013 Oct;77(2):133-7.
    PMID: 23886793 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2013.06.018
    Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is useful for diagnosis and studying virus replication. We developed positive- and negative-strand qRT-PCR assays to detect nsP3 of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a positive-strand RNA alphavirus that causes epidemic fever, rash, and arthritis. The positive- and negative-strand qRT-PCR assays had limits of quantification of 1 and 3 log10 RNA copies/reaction, respectively. Compared to a published E1 diagnostic assay using 30 laboratory-confirmed clinical samples, the positive-strand nsP3 qRT-PCR assay had higher R(2) and efficiency and detected more positive samples. Peak viral load of 12.9 log(10) RNA copies/mL was reached on day 2 of illness, and RNA was detectable up to day 9, even in the presence of anti-CHIKV IgM. There was no correlation between viral load and persistent arthralgia. The positive-strand nsP3 assay is suitable for diagnosis, while the negative-strand nsP3 assay, which uses tagged primers to increase specificity, is useful for study of active viral replication kinetics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  17. Issa R, Mohd Hassan NA, Abdul H, Hashim SH, Seradja VH, Abdul Sani A
    Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2012 Jan;72(1):62-7.
    PMID: 22078904 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2011.09.021
    A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed for detection and discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv and H37Ra) and M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) from mycobacterial other than tuberculosis (MOTT). It was based on the melting curve (Tm) analysis of the gyrB gene using SYBR(®) Green I detection dye and the LightCycler 1.5 system. The optimal conditions for the assay were 0.25 μmol/L of primers with 3.1 mmol/L of MgCl(2) and 45 cycles of amplification. For M. tuberculosis (H37Rv and H37Ra) and M. bovis BCG of the MTBC, we detected the crossing points (Cp) at cycles of 16.96 ± 0.07, 18.02 ± 0.14, and 18.62 ± 0.09, respectively, while the Tm values were 90.19 ± 0.06 °C, 90.27 ± 0.09 °C, and 89.81 ± 0.04 °C, respectively. The assay was sensitive and rapid with a detection limit of 10 pg of the DNA template within 35 min. In this study, the Tm analysis of the qPCR assay was applied for the detection and discrimination of MTBC from MOTT.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  18. Sady H, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ngui R, Atroosh WM, Al-Delaimy AK, Nasr NA, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2015;16(7):16085-103.
    PMID: 26193254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160716085
    The present study describes a real-time PCR approach with high resolution melting-curve (HRM) assay developed for the detection and differentiation of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in fecal and urine samples collected from rural Yemen. The samples were screened by microscopy and PCR for the Schistosoma species infection. A pair of degenerate primers were designed targeting partial regions in the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene of S. mansoni and S. haematobium using real-time PCR-HRM assay. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 31.8%; 23.8% of the participants were infected with S. haematobium and 9.3% were infected with S. mansoni. With regards to the intensity of infections, 22.1% and 77.9% of S. haematobium infections were of heavy and light intensities, respectively. Likewise, 8.1%, 40.5% and 51.4% of S. mansoni infections were of heavy, moderate and light intensities, respectively. The melting points were distinctive for S. mansoni and S. haematobium, categorized by peaks of 76.49 ± 0.25 °C and 75.43 ± 0.26 °C, respectively. HRM analysis showed high detection capability through the amplification of Schistosoma DNA with as low as 0.0001 ng/µL. Significant negative correlations were reported between the real-time PCR-HRM cycle threshold (Ct) values and microscopic egg counts for both S. mansoni in stool and S. haematobium in urine (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this closed-tube HRM protocol provides a potentially powerful screening molecular tool for the detection of S. mansoni and S. haematobium. It is a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method. Hence, this method is a good alternative approach to probe-based PCR assays.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
  19. Lee C, Yiau KXS, Lee LJ, Chong PP, Chang KM, Abdullah M
    Malays J Pathol, 2019 Dec;41(3):313-326.
    PMID: 31901916
    INTRODUCTION: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is commonly used in the investigation of acute myeloid leukaemias (AML). Stable reference genes (RG) are essential for accurate and reliable reporting but no standard method for selection has been endorsed.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated simple statistics and published model-based approaches. Multiplex-qPCR was conducted to determine the expression of 24 candidate RG in AMLs (N=9). Singleplex-qPCR was carried out on selected RG (SRP14, B2M and ATP5B) and genes of interest in AML (N=15) and healthy controls, HC (N=12).

    RESULTS: RG expression levels in AML samples were highly variable and coefficient of variance (CV) ranged from 0.37% to 10.17%. Analysis using GeNorm and Normfinder listed different orders of most stable genes but the top seven (ACTB, UBE2D2, B2M, NF45, RPL37A, GK, QARS) were the same. In singleplex-qPCR, SRP14 maintained the lowest CV in AML samples. B2M, one of most stable reference genes in AML, was expressed near significantly different in AML and HC. GeNorm selected ATP5B+SRP14 while Normfinder chose SRP14+B2M as the best two RG in combination. The median expressions of combined RG genes in AML compared to HC were less significantly different than individually implying smaller expression variation after combination. Genes of interest normalised with RG in combination or individually, displayed significantly different expression patterns.

    CONCLUSIONS: The selection of best reference gene in qPCR must consider all sample sets. Model-based approaches are important in large candidate gene analysis. This study showed combination of RG SRP14+B2M was the most suitable normalisation factor for qPCR analysis of AML and healthy individuals.

    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods
  20. Teh CSJ, Lau MY, Chong CW, Ngoi ST, Chua KH, Lee WS, et al.
    J Microbiol Methods, 2021 04;183:106184.
    PMID: 33662480 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106184
    Diseases caused by typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonella remain a considerable threat to both developed and developing countries. Based on the clinical symptoms and serological tests, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate the Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A (S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A) from serovar Typhi (S. enterica serovar Typhi). In this study, we developed a quadruplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with an internal amplification control (IAC), to simultaneously differentiate S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A from serovar Typhi and to detect other Salmonella serovars which cause salmonellosis in humans. This assay was evaluated on 155 salmonellae and non-salmonellae strains and demonstrated 100% specificity in species differentiation. Inclusion of an IAC did not affect the efficiency of the assay. Further evaluation using a blind test on spiked stool, blood and food specimens showed that the detection limit was at 103 -104 CFU/mL (or g) and a high PCR efficiency with different targets (R2 > 0.99), except for S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A in blood. This assay has been applied to clinical specimens to detect the causative agents of gastrointestinal infections and has successfully identified 6 salmonellosis patients from the 50 diarrhoea patients. The quadruplex real-time PCR developed in this study could enhance the detection and differentiation of salmonellae. This assay could be applied to stools, blood and food based on the notable performance in the simulation tests and field evaluation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods*
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