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Respiratory contamination of polymerase chain reactions by human herpesvirus 6
Author(s) -
Kelley Patrick K.,
McClain Kenneth L.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830470415
Subject(s) - polymerase chain reaction , saliva , contamination , respiratory system , dna , biology , human herpesvirus 6 , virology , immunology , virus , herpesviridae , gene , genetics , viral disease , biochemistry , ecology , anatomy
Human herpesvirus type 6 DNA derived from human breath was discovered to contaminate PCR reactions during routine reaction preparation. Parallel PCR experiments were conducted in which expiratory secretions were blocked by a surgical mask, while others were performed without any attempt to circumvent respiratory contamination. The experimenter was previously determined to harbor HHV‐6 DNA in the saliva. All reactions in which expiration was obstructed were negative for HHV‐6 DNA via PCR. Reactions in which there was no attempt to obstruct respiratory secretions were positive for HHV‐6 DNA. These data suggest that PCR assays investigating the presence of HHV‐6 may be highly susceptible to contamination from the experimenter leading to false positive results. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.