Comparative molecular and microbiological diagnosis of 19 infective endocarditis cases in which causative microbes were identified by PCR-based DNA sequencing from the excised heart valves.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is traditionally diagnosed by microbiological analysis of blood cultures, following which therapeutic antibiotics are chosen based on antimicrobial sensitivity tests. However, such conventional techniques do not always lead to an accurate etiological diagnosis. Recently, PCR analysis of the 16S rRNA gene has been employed to identify organisms isolated from excised heart valves.

Prediction of the pathogens that are the cause of pneumonia by the battlefield hypothesis.

Commensal organisms are frequent causes of pneumonia. However, the detection of these organisms in the airway does not mean that they are the causative pathogens; they may exist merely as colonizers. In up to 50% cases of pneumonia, the causative pathogens remain unidentified, thereby hampering targeting therapies.

[Examination about utility of a Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular antigen swiftness search kit urine in a pneumonia patient].

We investigated the usefullness of Binax NOW urine antigen test, an immunochromatographic assay that binds any soluble Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen (C polysaccharide) for the diagnosis of penumoniae form September 2003 to March 2005. We used 372 samples form the patinets with pneumoniae diagnosed for blood or sputum cultuter or gram-stained sputum smear. Out of 24 culture positive specimens, Binax NOW urine antigen test, showed positive in 18 (75%) specimens.

[Comparison of a rapid antigen test and cultures for diagnosis of meningitis in children].

Fourteen pediatric patients diagnosed as bacterial meningitis between August 1997 and April 2002 were enrolled in this study. Both rapid antigen detection test, Slidex Meningite 5 Kit (Biomerieux) and culture were performed using cerebrospinal fluids (CSF). H.