Molecular detection of multiple emerging pathogens in sputa from cystic fibrosis patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is strong evidence that culture-based methods detect only a small proportion of bacteria present in the respiratory tracts of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methodology/principal findings

Standard microbiological culture and phenotypic identification of bacteria in sputa from CF patients have been compared to molecular methods by the use of 16S rDNA amplification, cloning and sequencing. Twenty-five sputa from CF patients were cultured that yield 33 isolates (13 species) known to be pathogens during CF. For molecular cloning, 760 clones were sequenced (7.2+/-3.9 species/sputum), and 53 different bacterial species were identified including 16 species of anaerobes (30%). Discrepancies between culture and molecular data were numerous and demonstrate that accura

SUBMITTER: Bittar F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2483419 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature