title: Rapid real-time PCR for determination of penicillin susceptibility in pneumococcal meningitis, including culture-negative cases.
abstract: A novel real-time PCR-hybridization assay was developed for the rapid (<1 h) detection of penicillin susceptibility in Streptococcus pneumoniae. When applied to 24 pneumococcal DNA-positive cerebrospinal fluid extracts, penicillin-sensitive S. pneumoniae was detected in all instances. Real-time PCR proved more sensitive than culture, microscopy, or antigen detection and provided susceptibility data even in culture-negative cases.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Laboratory, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE, United Kingdom. newakear@north.phls.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burdess
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heatherington
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase / Q000235:genetics; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010406:Penicillins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase