3c and 3d). These results are similar to the results of the genomic DNA extraction experiment, both confirming that the membranes of viable H. pylori effectively prevent penetration of PMA but allow the passage of EMA. Samples containing predefined ratios of viable and dead cells were prepared to test the accuracy of PCR signals in detecting the amount of genomic DNA after addition of PMA. Viable bacteria were mixed with appropriate amounts of EtOH-killed H. pylori to HDAC inhibitor obtain samples containing 0%, 0.1%, 1%, 10%, 50%, and 100% viable bacteria. Although viable bacteria can contain some dead cells, the percentage of them is small enough to

be irrelevant to the effect of PMA on viable and dead H. pylori mixtures. Each mixture was treated with 50 μM PMA and genomic DNA extracted and evaluated by electrophoresis. Constant amounts of genomic DNA were detected in all samples that had not been treated with PMA, regardless of the mixing ratio. In contrast, there was a gradual decrease in the amount of genomic DNA with decreasing ratios of viable H. pylori in the samples treated with PMA (Fig. 4). Thus, it was confirmed that genomic DNA of dead cells killed by PMA treatment was not detected, only the DNA of viable cells being detected. DNA extracted from PMA-treated H. pylori samples was quantitatively examined by real-time

PCR using SYBR green and primers for the sodB gene of H. pylori.

For the sample Sorafenib molecular weight containing 100% viable H. pylori treated with PMA (50 μM), the number of cells was 5.4 × 107 CFU/mL but this value continuously decreased with decreasing amounts of viable bacteria (to 7.6 × 104 CFU/mL for sample E). In contrast, samples not receiving PMA treatment exhibited similar numbers of cells to 100% viable H. pylori samples (Fig. 4). In addition, no DNA amplification was observed in the PMA-treated sample containing 100% dead H. pylori (sample F, Fig. 4). In order to establish a correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, detection of pathogens in samples from patients is of great importance. Because most pathogens replicate in the body, abundant amounts are usually found in clinical samples such as feces or blood; therefore their identification SSR128129E does not represent a challenge. In some diseases, the clinical presentation strongly suggests the responsible pathogen, thus further investigation of the infective agent may not be necessary. However, since food- or water-borne pathogens are present in food or water at very low concentrations, highly sensitive molecular-based techniques, such as PCR, are required. Although some methods, including PCR, are highly sensitive, their major disadvantage is their inability to discriminate between viable and dead pathogens.