Comparison of DNA pyrosequencing with alternative methods for identification of mycobacteria.

Identification of mycobacterial clinical isolates by pyrosequencing within the hypervariable A region of the 16S rRNA gene was compared to other identification methods. For >90% of isolates, these identifications correlated to the level of complex or species. For identification of many mycobacteria, pyrosequencing offers an inexpensive alternative to traditional sequencing.

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec and Panton-Valentine leukocidin characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones.

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene carriage were compared among suspected community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA (CA-MRSA) and health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) isolates. CA-MRSA isolates carried the SCCmec type IV complex, and most were PVL positive. The HA-MRSA isolates carried the SCCmec type II complex and did not harbor the PVL genes.

Evaluation of two TaqMan PCR assays for the detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA in blood samples.

This study compared two published TaqMan PCR assays targeting different regions of the HIV-1 genome for detection of HIV-1 proviral DNA. The gag specific PCR demonstrated a lower sensitivity than the assay targeting the LTR region. The LTR assay is a highly reproducible and specific technique for HIV-1 proviral DNA detection.