[Rapid diagnosis of psittacosis using a recently developed real-time PCR technique].
A 37-year-old man was admitted with cough and fever. Three days after admission he was tested using a newly developed real-time PCR technique that detects the DNA of Chlamydophila psittaci. The result was positive; serological investigation was not positive until 14 days later. Psittacosis is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease. Laboratory diagnosis relies mainly on the assessment of paired sera, but this approach has obvious disadvantages in the acute setting. Routine use of the real-time PCR technique led to the rapid diagnosis of psittacosis in 6 other patients. All 7 patients recovered after antibiotic treatment. This PCR technique is a valuable adjuvant to serological testing for the rapid diagnosis of psittacosis.
van der Bruggen
T
T
St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, afd. Medische Microbiologie en Immunologie, Nieuwegein.
Kaan
J A
JA
Heddema
E R
ER
van Hannen
E J
EJ
de Jongh
B M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial