Table 4. Cycle threshold (Ct) values for upE measured with duplicate sputum samples following processing using three homogenization methods.
Homogenization by | Sample N (Results N) | N of positive results (%) | Ct value from positive samples, mean±SD (range) | P value* |
---|---|---|---|---|
PK-DNase 1 | 15 (30) | 30 (100) | 33.6±1.3 (31.1-35.4) | 0.11 |
PBS | 15 (30) | 25 (83.3) | 35.8±1.2 (34.7-39.0) | <0.0001 |
NALC-sodium citrate | 15 (30) | 26 (86.7) | 35.7±1.5 (33.9-38.6) | <0.0001 |
*The significance level was calculated by using the one-sample t-test. The null hypothesis was that the test mean was equal to the control mean of 33.2.
Abbreviations: NALC, N-acetyl-L-cysteine; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; PK, proteinase K.