A view on Bartonella quintana endocarditis--confirming the molecular diagnosis by specific fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Culture-negative endocarditis is a frequent problem in cardiology, especially if caused by fastidious organisms. Among these, the diagnostic tools for the detection of Bartonella quintana are still unsatisfactory. In a culture-negative case of suspected endocarditis undergoing aortic valve replacement, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene indicated B. quintana infection. To develop a new diagnostic tool, independent from culture and amplification techniques, we designed and optimized an oligonucleotide fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe specific for B. quintana and suitable for FISH. FISH succeeded in simultaneous visualization and identification of vital microorganisms directly within the aortic valve tissue and in fast and univocal diagnosis of B. quintana endocarditis.
Gescher
Dorothee Maria
DM
Institut für Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
Mallmann
Christian
C
Kovacevic
Dragoljub
D
Schmiedel
Dinah
D
Borges
Adrian C
AC
Schweickert
Birgitta
B
Göbel
Ulf B
UB
Moter
Annette
A
D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000382:microbiology; D018413:Bartonella quintana / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014205:Trench Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S