Comparative molecular and microbiologic diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis

Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Dec;9(12):1543-7. doi: 10.3201/eid0912.030229.

Abstract

Sequencing of 16S rDNA, and of sodAint and rpoBint in some cases, was applied to DNA from heart valves of 46 patients (36 with definite and 10 with possible endocarditis). Sequence-based identifications were compared with those obtained with conventional methods. Among the 36 definite cases, 30 had positive blood cultures and 6 had negative cultures. Among the 30 positive cases, sequencing of 16S rDNA permitted identification of species (18), genus (8), or neither (4); sodAint and rpoBint sequencing was necessary for species identification in 8 cases. Species identifications were identical in only 61.5%, when conventional techniques and DNA sequencing were used. In five of the six blood culture-negative endocarditis cases, sequencing identified Bartonella quintana (3), B. henselae (1), and Streptococcus gallolyticus (1). Our results demonstrate a clear benefit of molecular identification, particularly in cases of blood culture-negative endocarditis and of possible endocarditis, to confirm or invalidate the diagnosis. Moreover, in 19.4% of the definite cases, the improvement in species identification by sequencing led to improved patient management.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / chemistry
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / pathology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnosis*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / pathology
  • Female
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / pathology
  • Staphylococcus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / pathology
  • Streptococcus / genetics
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification
  • Superoxide Dismutase / chemistry
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases
  • RNA polymerase beta subunit