Detection of Tropheryma whipplei DNA in clinical specimens by LightCycler real-time PCR.

A real-time PCR method using the LightCycler (Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, IN) was compared to a conventional PCR assay for the detection of Tropheryma whipplei in 321 clinical specimens. The LightCycler method had sensitivity and specificity comparable to the conventional method but required considerably less labor and time (3 h versus 3 to 5 days).