Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) accelerates identification of Gram-positive cocci in positive blood cultures.

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate. Rapid identification of blood culture isolates plays a crucial role in adequate antimicrobial therapy in sepsis patients. To accelerate microbiological diagnosis, a comprehensive panel of oligonucleotide probes for fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) targeting Gram-positive cocci was compiled and evaluated on 428 positive blood culture specimens.

A view on Bartonella quintana endocarditis--confirming the molecular diagnosis by specific fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Culture-negative endocarditis is a frequent problem in cardiology, especially if caused by fastidious organisms. Among these, the diagnostic tools for the detection of Bartonella quintana are still unsatisfactory. In a culture-negative case of suspected endocarditis undergoing aortic valve replacement, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene indicated B.