TABLE 5.

Comparative sensitivity of DNA detection by fluorescent probes, colorimetric PCR-EIA, and ethidium bromide staining

No. of C. albicans organisms per 200 μl	Mean ± SE delta RQ value with fluorescent probesab		Mean ± SE A650 by colorimetric PCR-EIA with CA-DIGb	Result by ethidium bromide staining of agarose gel
	All-CAN-TET	CA-FAM
105	3.100 ± 0.263c	1.136 ± 0.231c	0.582 ± 0.029c	+
104	2.735 ± 0.104c	0.690 ± 0.058c	0.441 ± 0.035c	+
103	0.686 ± 0.069c	0.187 ± 0.017c	0.139 ± 0.017c	+
102	0.343 ± 0.040c	0.070 ± 0.012c	0.027 ± 0.006c	−
101	0.063 ± 0.017	0.013 ± 0.035	0	−
0	0	0	0	−
Purified DNAd	4.383 ± 0.098c	0.996 ± 0.046c	0.552 ± 0.058c	+

^aValues are expressed as the mean ± standard error (SE) delta RQ values. 

^bData are from three experiments, with duplicate wells used in each experiment. 

^cP < 0.01 or P < 0.05 by Student’s t test versus the mean for samples containing no DNA. Positive cutoff values for the All-CAN-TET and CA-FAM fluorescent probes and for the CA-DIG colorimetric probe were 0.308, 0.066, and 0.015, respectively. 

^dOne nanogram of C. albicans B311 DNA.