Application of the real-time PCR for the detection of airborne microbial pathogens in reference to the anthrax spores

To establish the rapid detection method of airborne bacterial spores, we examined Bacillus anthracis spores by real-time PCR. One hundred liters of air were trapped on a filter of an air monitor device. After it was suspended in PBS, spores of B. anthracis were artificially added. The suspension was also heated at 95 degreesC for 15 min and used for real-time PCR using anthrax-specific primers. A single cell of B. anthracis was detected by real-time PCR within I h. Our results provide evidence that anthrax spores from the atmosphere can be detected rapidly, suggesting that real-time PCR provides a flexible and powerful tool to prevent epidemics. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.