Abstract:
This invention provides novel methods for detecting microorganisms is biological samples. The methods utilize in situ hybridization techniques. In one preferred embodiment, the methods involve blocking binding of nucleic acid probe(s) to granulocytes. The method typically involves contacting a biological sample with a nucleic acid probe that specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid of a microorganism and a blocking reagent that is a non-coding nucleic acid, washing the biological sample to remove probe that is not hybridized to a nucleic acid of the microorganism, and detecting the probe where the presence of remaining probe indicates the presence of the microorganism.
Abstract:
This invention provides novel methods for detecting microorganisms in biological samples. The methods utilize in situ hybridization techniques. In one preferred embodiment, the methods performing an in situ hybridization using two or more probes specific to the same target microorganism where the probes are each labeled with different and distinguishable label or are themselves different and distinguishable. When the probes co-localize to the same feature they are scored as positive for the target microorganism corresponding to those eprobes. Where only a single probe localizes to the target the result is scored as negative and/or, optionally subject to re-testing or other further analysis.
Abstract:
This invention provides novel methods for detecting microorganisms is biological samples. The methods utilize in situ hybridization techniques. In one preferred embodiment, the methods involve blocking binding of nucleic acid probe(s) to granulocytes. The method typically involves contacting a biological sample with a nucleic acid probe that specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid of a microorganism and a blocking reagent that is a non-coding nucleic acid, washing the biological sample to remove probe that is not hybridized to a nucleic acid of the microorganism, and detecting the probe where the presence of remaining probe indicates the presence of the microorganism.
Abstract:
This invention provides novel methods for detecting microorganisms in biological samples. The methods utilize in situ hybridization techniques. In one preferred embodiment, the methods performing an in situ hybridization using two or more probes specific to the same target microorganism where the probes are each labeled with different and distinguishable label or are themselves different and distinguishable. When the probes co-localize to the same feature they are scored as positive for the target microorganism corresponding to those eprobes. Where only a single probe localizes to the target the result is scored as negative and/or, optionally subject to re-testing or other further analysis.