Establishment of real-time PCR assay to detect Mycoplasma hominis

Objective To develop a real-time PCR assay to detect Mycoplasma hominis. Methods By analyzing the gap gene of M. hominis, an optimized real-time PCR assay was designed. The specificity, sensitivity and detection limit of the assay were evaluated and compared with conventional PCR assay by using standard concentration DNA of M. hominis. Results The detection limit of the assay was about 50 cfu and the specificity of the assay appeared to be 100%. The sensitivity of this real-time PCR assay was 100 times higher than that of conventional PCR. Conclusion This real-time PCR assay might be a suitable method for the clinical detection of M. hominis.