Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Rapid Detection of Bulkholderia pseudomallei

摘要

Melioidosis is a potentially lethal infection endemic in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. The causative bacterium, Burkhoideria pseudomallei, is resistant to many of the commonly used antibacterial agents. Therefore, successful treatment of the disease is dependent on rapid and accurate diagnosis. The current diagnostic techniques are time consuming and lacking in specificity. We have developed a PCR procedure using the R.A.P.I. D(trademark) and real time monitoring of product formation. The reaction is significantly faster than conventional PCR and allows the simultaneous evaluation of specificity using melting curve analysis.