Enhanced Detection of Bacterial Ocular Pathogens: A Comparative Study of Broad-Range Real-Time PCR and Conventional Culture Methods.

ABSTRACT: Background: Ocular infections can cause severe complications, including blindness, and distinguishing bacterial from fungal keratitis based on clinical features alone is difficult. This study compared broad-range conventional PCR and real-time PCR methods targeting the 16S rRNA gene with traditional culture for diagnosing bacterial ocular infections. Methods: We analyzed 160 ocular specimens from 111 patients, categorizing them as septic or aseptic. The results of both conventional PCR and real-time PCR methods targeting the 16S rRNA gene were compared with traditional culture outcomes. Results: Real-time PCR demonstrated higher sensitivity than conventional PCR, and receiver operating characteristic analysis determined optimal ΔCT cutoff values of -2.13

SUBMITTER: Park S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12025706 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature