Clinical use of a diagnostic PCR for Francisella tularensis in patients with suspected ulceroglandular tularaemia.
A retrospective analysis to evaluate the clinical use of a diagnostic PCR for Francisella tularensis in patients with suspected ulceroglandular tularaemia was performed. 154 samples, 129 from patients with definitive tularaemia and 25 from patients where tularaemia could be ruled out, were analysed. The diagnostic PCR had a specificity of 96%, a sensitivity of 78.3%, and a Positive Predictive Value of 99%. Especially samples from encrusted lesions, even up to 4 weeks old, in patients with tularaemia, were PCR positive to a high degree when taken properly. The diagnostic PCR is useful in suspected ulceroglandular tularaemia, giving a fast and accurate diagnosis.
Eliasson
Henrik
H
Department of Infectious Diseases, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden. henrik.eliasson@orebroll.se
Sjöstedt
Anders
A
Bäck
Erik
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013548:Sweden; D014406:Tularemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology