Abstract
The present study aimed to improve the rate of detection of blood-borne microbes by using PCRs with pan-bacterial and Candida specificity. Seventeen per cent of the blood samples (n=178) collected from 107 febrile patients with haematological malignancies were positive using standard culture (BacT/Alert system). Candida PCR was positive in 12 patients, only one of whom scored culture-positive. Bacterial PCR using fresh blood samples was often negative, but the detection rate increased when the blood was pre-incubated for 2 days. These data indicate that PCR assays might be a complement for the detection of blood-borne opportunists in immunocompromised haematology patients.
Publication types
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Evaluation Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Bacteremia* / epidemiology
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Bacteremia* / microbiology
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Blood / microbiology*
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Candida / classification
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Candida / genetics
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Candida / isolation & purification*
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Candida albicans / genetics
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Candida albicans / isolation & purification
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Candida glabrata / genetics
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Candida glabrata / isolation & purification
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Candidiasis / microbiology
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Culture Media
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DNA, Bacterial / analysis
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DNA, Fungal / analysis
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Fever
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Fungemia* / epidemiology
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Fungemia* / microbiology
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification*
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics
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Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification*
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Hematologic Neoplasms / complications*
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Humans
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Immunocompromised Host
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Neutropenia
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Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology
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Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
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Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
Substances
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Culture Media
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DNA, Bacterial
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DNA, Fungal