Development of a multitarget real-time TaqMan PCR assay for enhanced detection of Francisella tularensis in complex specimens.

ABSTRACT: Tularemia is the zoonotic disease caused by the gram-negative coccobacillus Francisella tularensis. Its wide distribution in the environment poses a challenge for understanding the transmission, ecology, and epidemiology of the disease. F. tularensis is also considered a potential biological weapon due to its extreme infectivity. We have developed a multitarget real-time TaqMan PCR assay capable of rapidly and accurately detecting F. tularensis in complex specimens. Targeted regions included the ISFtu2 element and the 23kDa, fopA, and tul4 genes. Analysis of the four TaqMan assays demonstrated that three (ISFtu2, 23kDa, and tul4) performed within our established criterion of a detection limit of one organism. The combined use of the three assays was highly specific, displaying no cross-rea

SUBMITTER: Versage JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC309004 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature