Rapid diagnosis of beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B endocarditis by buffy-coat examination and gas-liquid chromatography.
A semicomatose 34-year-old man had fever, heart murmur, and multiple gangrenous lesions. Several blood cultures were negative. Cultures of the heart valve grew beta-haemolytic streptococcus group B. The organism was seen in buffy-coat examination of the venous blood. The gas-liquid chromatogram of the serum was different from those of normal controls and of patients with invasive candida infection; it closely mimicked the one obtained from the organism itself. These studies promise to be valuable diagnostic adjuncts.
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D013997:Time Factors