Abstract:
This study was carried out in the period from May 2007- March 2008 to
evaluate the real-time PCR technique for direct detection of Shigella flexneri
in stools. Forty-six stool specimens were collected from patients attended to
Khartoum state Hospitals. Bacterial DNA was extracted directly from each
stool specimen using phenol choloroform technique. The DNA amplified by
real-time PCR using specific Shigella flexneri primers. Shigella flexneri
DNA detected in 12 (26.1%) of the extract. The study concluded that the
real-time PCR technique facilitates rapid direct detection of Shigella flexneri
in stool without any culture.
