title: Molecular panel for detection of sepsis-related microorganisms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response related to high mortality rates in the hospital environment. Delayed etiological diagnosis and inadequate antimicrobial therapy are associated with treatment failures. Molecular tests based on polymerase chain reaction are regarded as faster and more accurate procedures than culture techniques for microbial identification, providing a higher rate of therapeutic success.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a panel of primers for DNA fragments of sepsis-related microorganisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primers for amplification of Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp. were designed and tested for sensitivity and specificity on the basis of their respective standard strains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intended specificity was obtained for P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and Candida spp primers. Sensitivity tests showed a threshold for detection from 5 ng to 500 fg in blood samples contaminated with microbial DNA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The molecular panel presented offers the advantage of a flexible 'open' system when compared to other multiplex detection methods.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Meio Ambiente, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Leslie Ecker
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Karilene
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dalposso
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Bruna Barbosa
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Hackbarth
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Anderson R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Glauco Adrieno
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Meio Ambiente, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paulo Henrique Condeixa de
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: França
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Meio Ambiente, Universidade da Região de Joinville, Joinville, SC, Brasil.
authors.forename: Mauro de Souza Leite
authors.initials: Mde S
authors.lastname: Pinho