Author/Editor		Korošec, Peter; Šilar, Mira; Eržen, Renato; Košnik, Mitja
Title		The influence of antimicrobial therapy on the sensitivity of Legionella PCR
Type		članek
Source		Scand J Infect Dis
Vol. and No.		Letnik 38, št. 10
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 925-8
Language		eng
Abstract		The aim of our study was to establish the sensitivity of Legionella DNA detection in lower respiratory tract samples in 3 cases of Legionnaires' disease after initiation of specific antibiotic therapy. The results showed that Legionella amplicon intensity was highest in the sputum or bronchial aspirates collected at or before the start of appropriate therapy and decreased markedly within 3 days of therapy. PCR testing was negative within 4 to 6 days of therapy. These data suggest that within a few days specific antimicrobial therapy induces a significant drop of bacterial concentration in respiratory secretions reaching the detection limit of PCR assay. Respiratory samples for Legionella PCR should be obtained before or earlyafter initiating antimicrobial therapy.
Descriptors		LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE LEGIONELLA ANTIBIOTICS POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION