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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Anthony De SoyzaORCiD, Dr Stephen Bourke, Dr John Perry
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Aim: The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the effect of sample storage on the metabolically active microbial community found in sputum samples from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods: Sputum samples were collected and split in two equal aliquots one of which was immersed in RNAlater and refrigerated immediately, the second stored at room temperature for 24 h and RNAlater was subsequently added. mRNA was extracted, and RT-PCR-DGGE and qPCR analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities was carried out. Results: Significant differences in the bacterial communities between the two protocols were observed but there were no significant difference seen in the fungal community analyses. Analysis by qPCR demonstrated that room temperature storage gave statistically significant increases in eubacteria and Pseudomonas spp. and a statistically significant decrease in those of Haemophilus influenzae. Conclusions: The analysis of metabolically active microbial communities from CF sputum using molecular techniques indicated that samples should be stored at 4 degrees C upon addition of RNAlater to obtain an accurate depiction of the CF lung microbiota. Also, storing respiratory samples at room temperature may cause an over representation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and mask the presence of other clinically significant organisms.
Author(s): Nelson A, De Soyza A, Bourke SJ, Perry JD, Cummings SP
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Letters in Applied Microbiology
Year: 2010
Volume: 51
Issue: 3
Pages: 272-277
Print publication date: 09/07/2010
ISSN (print): 0266-8254
ISSN (electronic): 1472-765X
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.2010.02891.x
DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2010.02891.x
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