Ny diagnostik af infektioner: Påvisning af bakterielt DNA med polymerasekædereaktion og identifikation ved DNA-sekventering

Analysis of the base sequences in the genes encoding rRNA is being used successfully for the identification of bacteria. »Broad-range« primers can be used directly on clinical specimens for PCR amplification of bacterial DNA-encoding rRNA genes. Species identification can subsequently be carried out by sequence analysis of the amplified DNA. Compared to bacterial culture, PCR and sequencing are less sensitive and require more resources. In addition, the method does not allow further direct characterisation, such as determination of the susceptibility to antibiotics of individual bacteria. The method should be regarded as a possible supplement to and not a replacement for bacterial culture. Experience is still limited, but the method seems especially useful in diagnosing bacterial infections yielding no growth by culturing, for instance after treatment with antibiotics, and in infections with bacteria with unusual growth requirements.