Techniques for preparing specimens for bacterial assays
AssigneeGen-Probe Incorporated
InventorDaniel L. Kacian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and compositions for improved liquification of mucoid secretion specimens by treatment with a disulfide bond reducing agent and a DNA digestion agent, and for improved concentration of selected bacterial species from such specimens, are disclosed. The disclosure has applicability to bacterial assay techniques including nucleic acid hybridization, culture and stain techniques.
Claims44
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen, comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting said specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen;
- and
- (b) contacting said specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen, wherein said reducing agent and said DNA digestion agent are provided as separate molecular species, such that said liquifying of said specimen is greater than when each said reducing agent and said DNA digestion agent is used separately, wherein said reducing agent and said DNA digestion agent are provided as separate molecular species, such that said liquifying of said specimen is greater than when each said reducing agent and said DNA digestion agent is used separately.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen comprising the steps of firstly contacting said specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen;
- and secondly contacting said specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen comprising the steps of firstly contacting said specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen;
- and secondly contacting said specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen comprising the steps of contacting said specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent except N-acetyl cysteine so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen, and contracting said specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen, wherein said reducing agent and DNA digestion agent are provided as separate molecular species.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen, comprising the steps of contacting said mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen and contacting said specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen, so that liquification of said specimen is greater than when each agent is used separately.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen, comprising the steps of firstly contacting said specimen except a mucopurulent specimen with a DNA digestion agent so as to cleave phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen, and secondly contacting said mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen with a disulfide bond reducing agent so as to cleave disulfide bonds in proteinaceous molecules in said specimen.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen including the step of contacting said mucoid secretion specimen except a mucopurulent specimen with a mixture comprising a disulfide bond reducing agent and a deoxyribonuclease provided as separate molecular species, so that liquification of said specimen is greater than when each agent is used separately.
A method of liquifying a mucoid specimen including the step of contacting said mucoid secretion specimen with a mixture comprising a disulfide bond reducing agent except N-acetyl cysteine and a deoxyribonuclease, wherein said reducing agent and deoxyribonuclease are provided as separate molecular species.
A method of liquifying a mucoid secretion specimen, comprising contacting said specimen with a digestion mixture comprising a DNA digestion agent capable of cleaving phosphodiester bonds in DNA molecules in said specimen and a disulfide bond reducing agent, wherein Said reducing agent and DNA digestion agent are provided as separate molecular species and such that the combined effect of the DNA digestion agent and the disulfide bond reducing agent is a greater reduction of specimen viscosity than When the agents are used separately.
A kit for assaying a mucoid secretion specimen for the presence of a selected bacterial species, including in a first container a composition comprising a disulfide bond reducing agent and in a second container a composition comprising a DNA digestion agent for liquifying said specimen;
- and means for determining the presence of said bacterial species.
A kit for assaying a mucoid secretion specimen for the presence of a selected bacterial species, including in a first container a composition comprising a disulfide bond reducing agent and in a second container a composition comprising a deoxyribonuclease for liquifying said specimen;
- and means for determining the presence of said bacterial species.
A kit for assaying a sputum specimen for the presence of a selected bacterial species, including a in first container a composition comprising dithiothreitol and in a second container a composition comprising a DNA digestion agent for liquifying said specimen;
- and means for determining the presence of said bacterial species.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.