The efficiency of sodC gene / N. meningitidis detection in comparison with the classical methods for the diagnosis of meningococcal infection
Roxana Elena Nemescu, Ramona Gabriela Ursu, Carmen Mihaela Dorobăț, Luminița Smaranda Iancu
Abstract: Meningococcal infection requires a fast and accurate diagnostic method in order to correctly initiate the antibiotic therapy. The aim of our study was to assess the efficiency of Real Time PCR –Taq Man using sod C gene / N. meningitidis in comparison with the classical methods for the diagnosis of meningococcal infection – direct microscopy, cultivation, latex agglutination and blood culture. We have detected 24/44 (54.54%) patients with meningococcal infection. In both cases of patients with / without previous antibiotic therapy before admission, the AUC (area under curve) had the highest values for RT PCR in CSF and blood analysis. This sod C RT-PCR assay is a highly sensitive and specific method for detection of Neisseria meningitis and it would be useful to include this method like a multiplex in routine testing of patients with clinical meningococcal infection for other etiological agents also.
Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis, meningococcal infection, Real-Time PCR, performance criteria
Received: 30.5.2014
Accepted: 26.2.2015
Published: 12.3.2015
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