In an attempt to avoid some of the inconveniences associated with conventional PCR, such as electrophoresis in ethidium bromide, we developed and analyzed the yield of a digoxigenin-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent PCR assay (PCR-DIG ELISA) for the detection of specific Brucella target DNA. During the DNA amplification process in healthy subjects and controls (Brucella abortus B-19) non-specific amplification of fragments was formed between genomic DNA and specific biotin-labeled primers. The labeled non-specific fragments bound to streptavidin-coated wells, saturating the solid phase streptavidin by biotin-streptavidin interaction. The formation of these non-specific PCR products was demonstrated by reduction in absorbance with hemin, a Taq polymerase inhibitor, and identified by use of a silver stained method which improves the sensitivity of nucleic acid visualization.