Simple duplex fecal PCR assay that allows identification of false-negative results in Helicobacter sp.-infected mice

Franck Bourgade (1) , Xavier Montagutelli (2) , Cassie Bigbee (3) , April Weiss (3) , Lionel Rigottier-Gois (4) , Claudio J. Conti (3) , Fernando Benavides (3)

1 Animalerie centrale (Plate-forme)
2 Génétique des Mammifères
3 MD Anderson Cancer Center [Houston]
4 UEPSD - Unité de recherche d'Écologie et Physiologie du Système Digestif

We designed a simple and sensitive duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of false-negative results during routine Helicobacter sp. feces analysis. We took advantage of the various Lactobacillus species that form part of the normal intestinal flora of laboratory rodents to improve our PCR diagnostic assays. Using this one-step PCR assay, we were able to rule out false-negative results without the need of adding internal standard molecules. This is an important quality control for PCR diagnostic tests, since the presence of inhibitors in feces can prevent detection of Helicobacter infections using PCR analysis. Use of this Lactobacillus group-specific PCR assay can be extended to other feces tests used in mouse quality-control programs.

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]

Franck Bourgade, Xavier Montagutelli, Cassie Bigbee, April Weiss, Lionel Rigottier-Gois, et al.. Simple duplex fecal PCR assay that allows identification of false-negative results in Helicobacter sp.-infected mice. Comparative Medicine, 2004, 54 (5), pp.528-32. ⟨pasteur-03274123⟩