Usefulness of a direct 16S rRNA gene PCR assay of percutaneous biopsies or aspirates for etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis.
We performed a prospective study to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a direct 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) PCR assay of percutaneous biopsies or aspirates for the etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis. During May 2009 to December 2010 and November 2011 to August 2012, consecutive patients with suspected vertebral osteomyelitis who underwent a percutaneous biopsy or aspiration were enrolled. Of 45 patients with vertebral osteomyelitis, 16S rDNA PCR was positive in 24 (53.3%), whereas culture was positive in 13 (28.9%) (P = 0.027). Three of PCR-positive cases (12.5%, 3/24) and 1 of culture-positive case (7.7%, 1/13) were considered to be false-positives. Of 16 patients without prior antimicrobial exposure, 75% of cases (12/16) were positive by either culture (7/16, 43.8%) or PCR (9/16, 56.3%). A 16S rDNA PCR assay with sequencing was more sensitive than routine culture for the etiological diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Ho
SH
Choi
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Heungsup
H
Sung
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sung-Han
SH
Kim
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sang-Oh
SO
Lee
Department of Radiology, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sang Hoon
SH
Lee
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yang Soo
YS
Kim
Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jun Hee
JH
Woo
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: mnkim@amc.seoul.kr.
Mi-Na
MN
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
16S rRNA gene; Osteomyelitis; Vertebral