PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Roesel, D J
AU  - Gwanzura, L
AU  - Mason, P R
AU  - Joffe, M
AU  - Katzenstein, D A
TI  - Polymerase chain reaction detection of Haemophilus ducreyi DNA.
AID  - 10.1136/sti.74.1.63
DP  - 1998 Feb 01
TA  - Sexually Transmitted Infections
PG  - 63--65
VI  - 74
IP  - 1
4099  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/74/1/63.short
4100  - http://sti.bmj.com/content/74/1/63.full
SO  - Sex Transm Infect1998 Feb 01; 74
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect Haemophilus ducreyi DNA in cultured isolates and clinical material. METHODS: Primers specific to the H ducreyi 16s rRNA gene were synthesised. PCR conditions were optimised and products were verified by restriction endonuclease digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: The method was able to detect all 28 H ducreyi strains tested; specificity was demonstrated using lysates of 12 related organisms. Applied to clinical samples from genital ulcer swabs obtained in Harare, Zimbabwe, H ducreyi DNA was detected in repeated assays in 35 clinical samples. CONCLUSION: PCR amplification using primers from the 16s rRNA gene may be a useful alternative to culture for the detection of H ducreyi and the diagnosis of chancroid.