TY - JOUR
T1 - Detection and quantification of Legionella pneumophila DNA in serum
T2 - Case reports and review of the literature
AU - Diederen, Bram M.W.
AU - De Jong, Caroline M.A.
AU - Kluytmans, Jan A.J.W.
AU - Van Der Zee, Anneke
AU - Peeters, Marcel F.
PY - 2006/5
Y1 - 2006/5
N2 - Legionella pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose. Existing laboratory tests all have shortcomings, especially the ability to diagnose all Legionella spp. at an early stage. Detection of Legionella DNA in serum can be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD). This report describes two patients with LD diagnosed by PCR using serum samples. In addition, quantification of L. pneumophila DNA using real-time PCR during the course of illness was carried out. The results obtained mirrored both the clinical condition and C-reactive protein values during the course of the illness. Quantification of Legionella DNA in serum using real-time PCR could be a valuable tool to monitor the effects of antimicrobial therapy in patients with LD.
AB - Legionella pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose. Existing laboratory tests all have shortcomings, especially the ability to diagnose all Legionella spp. at an early stage. Detection of Legionella DNA in serum can be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD). This report describes two patients with LD diagnosed by PCR using serum samples. In addition, quantification of L. pneumophila DNA using real-time PCR during the course of illness was carried out. The results obtained mirrored both the clinical condition and C-reactive protein values during the course of the illness. Quantification of Legionella DNA in serum using real-time PCR could be a valuable tool to monitor the effects of antimicrobial therapy in patients with LD.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33646256310&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1099/jmm.0.46453-0
DO - 10.1099/jmm.0.46453-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 16585654
AN - SCOPUS:33646256310
SN - 0022-2615
VL - 55
SP - 639
EP - 642
JO - Journal of Medical Microbiology
JF - Journal of Medical Microbiology
IS - 5
ER -