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Table 1 Summary of the characteristics of the tested quantitation methods

From: Quantitation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in wound biopsy samples: from bacterial culture to rapid ‘real-time’ polymerase chain reaction

 

Lower detection limit*

     
   

Log-linear range

  

Cost per test

Set up

Method

(CFU/g)

(CFU/reaction)

(CFU/g)

Time to result (h)

Ease of use

(US$)†

cost ($)

Culture

102

1

102-109

24

Easy

6

3500

PCR

104-105

10-102

106-108

4

Moderate

12‡

20 000

ELISA-PCR

103-104

1-10

105-107

8

Elaborate

25‡

20 000

RTD-PCR (LC)

103-104

1-10

103-109

1

Moderate

9‡

73 000

  1. *The lower detection limit is variable due to variations in inter-run amplification efficiency. †Not including labour costs, only reagents and disposables. ‡Cost per clinical sample, based on the analysis of batches of 10 clinical samples and eight standards. LC, LightCycler™.
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Critical Care

ISSN: 1364-8535