[A questionnaire study regarding to PCR-based test for the detection of mycobacteria and problems after the...

One year's experience on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test for the detection of mycobacteria (AMPLICOR Mycobacterium, Roche Japan) was reviewed in the light of the results of a prior questionnaire study regarding to the expected merits and demerits of the test. Rapidity in reporting, the top-ranked merit, was realized in 22 patients with positive results (8.7% of all patients tested). The PCR-based test saved 30.7 days on average in reporting a positive result in these patients. False negative results (PCR negatives in culture positives) the top-ranked demerit, was encountered in 5 samples from 5 patients (0.7% of all samples, or 4.5% of culture positive). The presence of some PCR inhibitors was suspected in these samples, totaling to 45 samples (6.5% of all samples) from 35 patients as well. The frequency of these cases was higher in outpatients than in hospitalized patients, indicating the necessity of some improvement in public health. Furthermore, the character of sputum is a particularly important factor for the precise test by PCR as well as culture.