title: PCR-based detection of a cystic fibrosis epidemic strain of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is widespread among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) in specialist centers around Liverpool and elsewhere in the UK. This study evaluates a new diagnostic PCR assay based on a unique DNA sequence (PS21) of LES, for its identification of colonies directly from sputum.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty-eight sputum samples from 92 patients were cultured and P. aeruginosa isolates were typed by PS21 PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Subsequently, PS21 PCR was performed directly on sputum and the results were compared with culture, PFGE, and PS21 PCR typing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty patients were colonized with P. aeruginosa, 63 by LES (79%). There was 100% concordance between PS21 PCR on colonies and PFGE typing. The sensitivity and specificity of PS21 PCR directly on sputum was 98.2% and 93.6%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that PS21 PCR can be used for simple and rapid screening of LES colonization in CF patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. vivkypanagea@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Stavroula
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panagea
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winstanley
authors.forename: Yasmin N
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walshaw
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ledson
authors.forename: C Anthony
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial