title: Aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis in chronic leukocyte leukemia patient diagnosed by a novel panfungal polymerase chain reaction method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vertebral osteomyelitis and disciitis caused by Aspergillus spp is a rare event. Early diagnosis and early antifungal therapy are critical in improving the prognosis for these patients. The diagnosis of invasive fungal infections is, in many cases, not straightforward and requires invasive procedures so that histological examination and culture can be performed. Furthermore, current traditional microbiological tests (ie, cultures and stains) lack the sensitivity for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus spp diagnosed using a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aspergillus DNA was detected in DNA extracted from the necrotic bone tissue by using a "panfungal" PCR novel method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with voriconazole was started based on the diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using this novel technique enabled us to diagnose accurately an unusual bone pathogen that requires a unique treatment.
authors: Orthopedic B Department and J. Recanati Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Rambam Health Care Center, PO Box 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel. L_dayan@rambam.health.gov.il
authors: Lior
authors: L
authors: Dayan
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: Sprecher
authors: Amos
authors: A
authors: Hananni
authors: Hana
authors: H
authors: Rosenbaum
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Milloul
authors: Ilana
authors: I
authors: Oren
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D065819:Voriconazole
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole