Real time polymerase chain reaction: a new powerful tool for the diagnosis of neurobrucellosis.
METHODS
We compared the diagnostic yield of a real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples with conventional microbiological techniques for the diagnosis of neurobrucellosis. Following amplification of a 223 bp sequence specific for Brucella genus, melting curve analysis was performed to verify the specificity of the PCR products.


RESULTS
All six patients with neurobrucellosis (three meningitis and three meningoencephalitis) had a positive real time PCR assay, whereas CSF cultures and Wright seroagglutination tests were positive in only two and four cases, respectively. Brucella specific amplicons were easily demonstrated by their characteristic melting temperature in all the real time PCR assays.


CONCLUSIONS
LightCycler based real time PCR assay in CSF samples is more rapid and sensitive than conventional microbiological tests. This technique could be useful for the rapid diagnosis of neurobrucellosis.
Colmenero
J D
JD
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Carlos Haya University Hospital, Málaga, Spain. jdcolmenero@telefonica.net
Queipo-Ortuño
M I
MI
Reguera
J M
JM
Baeza
G
G
Salazar
J A
JA
Morata
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002002:Brucella / Q000235:genetics; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical