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Previous Volume 332:128-129 January 12, 1995 Number 2 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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To the Editor: Noordhoek et al. (Dec. 30, 1993, issue)¹ have raised serious questions^1,2 about the reliability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in clinical specimens. Nevertheless, commercial clinical laboratories continue to promote many PCR assays, even for use by correctional facilities.

After a routine medical evaluation at the time of her entry into a state correctional facility, an asymptomatic 28-year-old woman had a 20-mm reaction to a purified-protein-derivative tuberculin skin test (Mantoux method). Her chest roentgenogram was normal. Three sputum specimens were collected on separate days for mycobacterial laboratory studies. Although no . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

Related Letters:

Questionable Reliability of the Polymerase Chain Reaction in the Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Noordhoek G. T., van Embden J. D.A., Kolk A. H.J.
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N Engl J Med 1993; 329:2036, Dec 30, 1993. Correspondence

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