Just Too Busy To Address TRIB1?

Specimens that tested positive according to 23S-5S PCR, but were culture-negative, were further analysed by DNA sequencing of the amplicon or the macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) gene. In addition to L.?pneumophila, Legionella longbeachae, Legionella cincinnatiensis and Legionella micdadei were identified in the specimens. The assay showed a 7-log dynamic range displaying a sensitivity of 7.5?CFU/mL or three genome equivalents per reaction. Sixty-one specimens containing viruses or MK-2206 concentration bacteria other than Legionellae were negative according to 23S-5S PCR, demonstrating its specificity. Use of this assay should contribute to the earlier detection of respiratory disease caused by Legionella species, as well as to increased rates of detection. Legionellae are ubiquitous in natural and man-made aqueous environments. To date, at least 52 Legionella spp. have been identified (http://www.bacterio.cict.fr/l/legionella.html). Twenty-three species have been found to be associated with human diseases [1,2]. Approximately 80�C90% of reported cases of Legionnaires�� disease (LD) are attributed to Legionella pneumophila; however, all species may cause infection, especially in immunocompromised hosts [1,3,4]. Legionnaires�� disease has no unique clinical or radiographic features [5,6], which may lead to TRIB1 inappropriate therapy and a poor prognosis. Therefore, a validated and rapid diagnostic assay is of great importance. Current laboratory criteria for ensuring a confirmed diagnosis of LD involve isolating Legionellae by culture and detecting L.?pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen in urine or seroconversion. Although these methodologies Selleckchem Ibrutinib have good specificity, they primarily detect L.?pneumophila. Non-pneumophila Legionella spp. may grow on buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) media, but it usually takes approximately 1�C2?weeks of incubation time for identification. Some strains, such as Legionella-like amoebal pathogens, are very fastidious and require amoebal co-culture [7], which is laborious and impractical for clinical diagnosis. Therefore, infections caused by non-pneumophila species may not be diagnosed. To address these deficiencies, molecular assays that target the nucleic acid of Legionellae have been developed, but their applications in clinical diagnosis are still limited. For example, the proportion of cases diagnosed by PCR and other genotypic methods in Europe from 1995 to 2004 accounts for