Comparison of PCR and culture for detection of Nocardia asteroides in brain specimens from experimentally infected BALB/c mice.
Systemic infection of BALB/c mice with Nocardia asteroides strain GUH-2 results in widespread replication of the organism in the brain, followed by its immune-mediated clearance. The present study compared the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to bacterial culture for detection of cerebral nocardial infection in this experimental system. Mice (n=4/time point) were administered N. asteroides by intravenous injection, and brain specimens were evaluated for Nocardia by PCR and culture at post-infection days 2, 7, 14 and 21. Nocardia was detected by PCR in all infected animals on post-infection days 2, 7, and 14, and in one of four mice on post-infection day 21; in contrast, the organism was detected by culture only on post-infection days 2 and 7. These findings suggest that PCR may be more sensitive than culture for the detection of low numbers of Nocardia in the brain.
Loeffler
David A
DA
William Beaumont Hospital Research Institute, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. dloeffler@beaumont.edu
Camp
Dianne M
DM
Nichols
Lihua Qu
LQ
Maksaereekul
Saipiroon
S
Beaman
Blaine L
BL
LeWitt
Peter A
PA
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology*; D020806:Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003470:Culture Media