PCR and DNA sequencing in establishing the aetiology of bacterial infections in children.
The results of partial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and subsequent DNA sequencing of clinical samples from children are described. In 13 out of 62 samples, DNA from bacteria likely to be the cause of infection was identified. In the vast majority (11/13) of samples with significant pathogen culture the specimen had been negative. Antibiotics had been given in all cases except for three prior to sampling. PCR and subsequent DNA sequencing is a valuable supplementary tool for establishing the cause of bacterial infections in children when culture is negative.
Gleesen
Ann Sofie
AS
The Laboratory for Clinical Microbiology at Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark. gleesen2@stofanet.dk
Grarup
Cecilie
C
Dargis
Rimtas
R
Andresen
Keld
K
Christensen
Jens Jørgen
JJ
Kemp
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S