title: Molecular diagnosis of bacterial infective endocarditis in tabriz, azerbaijan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyze a PCR based approach for detection of infective endocarditis in Azerbaijan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten aortic valves, 8 mitral valves and 2 tricuspid valves, were analyzed for the presence of bacterial infective endocarditis using Gram staining, culture and PCR methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 20 valves, 5 and 4 cases were positive by Gram staining and culture assay, respectively. Bacterial DNA was positive in 12 of the 20 valves (60%) by broad-spectrum PCR. Direct sequencing for species identification was possible in 10 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCR and direct molecular identification of the etiological agents responsible for infective endocarditis may enable specific treatment to begin at an earlier phase of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghotaslou
authors.affiliation: Razi Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salahi Eshlaghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yeganeh
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaghoubi
keywords: Bacterial Endocarditis; Identification; Molecular Assay