Testing of the Bio-Seeq (Smiths Detection Handheld PCR Instrument): Sensitivity, Specificity, and Effect of Interferents on Bacillus Assay Performance

Abstract

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Testing of the Bio-Seeq (Smiths Detection Handheld PCR Instrument): Sensitivity, Specificity, and Effect of Interferents on Francisella Tulurensis Assay Performance

“…These results were consistent with the observations made while testing the effect of coffee creamer and cornstarch on the performance of the assay for B. anthracis spores, 6 in which 5 mg of cornstarch had no effect on assay performance. Likewise, 10 mg of coffee creamer did not significantly affect performance of the B. anthracis assay.…”

“…Likewise, 10 mg of coffee creamer did not significantly affect performance of the B. anthracis assay. As observed in the previous study, 6 an examination of the consumable suggests that the amounts of coffee creamer and cornstarch needed to partially inhibit the performance of the assay are far in excess of the amounts that would adhere to the swab tip when sampling a surface. We conclude from these results that neither coffee creamer nor cornstarch significantly inhibits the assay for F. tularensis in amounts likely to be introduced into the interior of the consumable.…”