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J Med Microbiol 55 (2006), 639-642; DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46453-0
© 2006 Society for General Microbiology
ISSN 1473-5644

Case Report

Detection and quantification of Legionella pneumophila DNA in serum: case reports and review of the literature

Bram M. W. Diederen1, Caroline M. A. de Jong1, Jan A. J. W. Kluytmans2, Anneke van der Zee1 and Marcel F. Peeters1

1 Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Elisabeth Hospital, PO Box 747, 5000 AS Tilburg, The Netherlands

2 Laboratory of Microbiology and Infection Control, Amphia Hospital, PO Box 90158, 4800 RK Breda, The Netherlands

Correspondence
Bram M. W. Diederen
bramdiederen{at}gmail.com

Received 6 December 2005
Accepted 5 January 2006

Legionella pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose. Existing laboratory tests all have shortcomings, especially the ability to diagnose all Legionella spp. at an early stage. Detection of Legionella DNA in serum can be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD). This report describes two patients with LD diagnosed by PCR using serum samples. In addition, quantification of L. pneumophila DNA using real-time PCR during the course of illness was carried out. The results obtained mirrored both the clinical condition and C-reactive protein values during the course of the illness. Quantification of Legionella DNA in serum using real-time PCR could be a valuable tool to monitor the effects of antimicrobial therapy in patients with LD.

Abbreviations: CAP, community-acquired pneumonia; CRP, C-reactive protein; ICU, intensive care unit; LD, Legionnaires' disease.




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Evaluation of real-time PCR for the early detection of Legionella pneumophila DNA in serum samples
J. Med. Microbiol., January 1, 2007; 56(1): 94 - 101.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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