Direct identification of pneumococcal serotypes in blood cultures by a PCR-reverse-hybridisation technique.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a technique (S. PneumoStrip test) based on PCR followed by reverse strip hybridisation for the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes directly in blood culture vials.

Methods: One hundred and ten (110) pairs of isolated strains and their corresponding original blood cultures vials were studied in parallel.