Nonculture Laboratory Methods for the Diagnosis of Infectious Endocarditis.
Over the past few years new techniques have been developed to improve the diagnosis of infectious diseases. However, despite the various available culture systems, culture-negative endocarditis currently represents a challenge for physicians. In our laboratory, in an effort to reduce the rate of endocarditis of unknown etiology, we have used several recent histologic, serologic, and molecular tests. We review the latest technical developments for the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis, including those that we are currently using.
Fournier
PE
Unité des rickettsies, CNRS : UPRESA 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille cedex 05, France.
Raoult
D