Real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum samples from patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method targeting the pneumolysin gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae in sputum specimens from patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was evaluated for the identification of pneumococci.

METHODS:

The applicability of the assay to clinical samples was evaluated by studying 140 sputum specimens from patients with CAP. Of the specimens, 96 (68.6%) were found to be positive by real-time PCR. The results were compared to culture findings.

RESULTS:

The sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCR assay developed in this study as compared to those of the culture method were 97.2% and 60.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Real-time PCR assay was found to be a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of pneumococci.

• Authors: Aysen Bayram, Esra Kocoglu, Iclal Balci, Ayten Filiz, Fahriye Eksi
• Journal: Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi (J Microbiol Immunol Infect) Vol. 39 Issue 6 Pg. 452-7 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 1684-1182 [Print] England
• PMID: 17164946 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins
• DNA Primers
• Streptolysins
• plY protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Bacterial Proteins (genetics)
• Community-Acquired Infections (diagnosis)
• DNA Primers
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pneumonia, Pneumococcal (diagnosis)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Sputum (microbiology)
• Streptococcus pneumoniae (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Streptolysins (genetics)