[Detection of DNA extracted from Mycobacterium tuberculosis by TaqMan-PCR technique and its clinical application]

To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of TaqMan-PCR technique in the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

The specimens of sputum and peripheral blood from 168 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 57 patients with lung cancer and the specimens of peripheral blood from 34 healthy individuals were detected by TaqMan-PCR, PCR. The specimens of sputum were also detected by smear, culture with BACTEC and Lowenstein-Jensen for comparison.

The positive rates of sputum and peripheral blood detected by TaqMan-PCR were 53.0% and 61.3%, respectively, significantly higher than those of PCR, smear, culture with BACTEC and Lowenstein-Jensen (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between TaqMan-PCR and PCR for specificity (P > 0.05). Of 105 specimens of peripheral blood from patients with smear-negative and culture-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, 48 specimens of peripheral blood detected by TaqMan-PCR were positive. The positive rate was 45.7%.

TaqMan-PCR method showed higher sensitivity and specificity. It is an useful tool for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, particularly smear-negative and culture-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.