RAPID DETECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM-AVIUM IN STOOL SAMPLES FROM AIDS PATIENTS BY IMMUNOMAGNETIC PCR

Direct PCR detection of bacteria in clinical samples is often hindered by the presence of compounds that inhibit the PCR. To improve and acc elerate the diagnosis of Mycobacterium aviam-M. intracellulare complex infections, an immunomagnetic PCR (IM-PCR) assay was developed. This IM-PCR procedure combines the separation of mycobacteria by antimycoba cterial monoclonal antibody coupled to magnetic beads with an M. avium -M. intracellulare complex-specific PCR protocol based on 16S rRNA gen e sequences. As few as 10 M. avium bacilli were detected in spiked hum an stool samples, a clinical specimen usually refractory to convention al PCR analysis, by the IM-PCR method, Moreover, M. avium organisms we re detected in about 24 h in 18 of 22 culture-confirmed fecal samples from AIDS patients. This IM-PCR protocol should allow for the rapid an d sensitive detection of M. avium isolates in clinical specimens.