Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-10-26
pubmed:abstractText
Coccidioidomycosis, the fungal infection caused by dimorphic Coccidioides sp., is typically diagnosed by histopathologic identification of spherules in affected secretions and tissues or by culture. These tests are reliable but time-intensive, delaying diagnosis and treatment. To evaluate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test developed to detect Coccidioides sp. in clinical specimens, we conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients (N = 145) who underwent Coccidioides PCR at our institution between April 27, 2007, and May 6, 2008, abstracting clinical, microbiologic, serologic, radiographic, treatment, and follow-up data. One hundred fifty-eight PCR tests (153 respiratory; 5 cerebrospinal fluid) produced 5 positive and 153 negative findings. Five of nine patients (56%) with confirmed or highly probable pulmonary coccidioidomycosis had a positive PCR on respiratory specimens, and four of nine (44%) had a positive culture. Among two patients with coccidioidal meningitis, none had a positive PCR, whereas Coccidioides sp. in fungal culture grew for one of two. Among six asymptomatic patients with probable coccidioidomycosis, none had a positive culture or PCR. Compared with culture of respiratory specimens, PCR demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 75, 99, 60, and 99%, respectively. Coccidioides PCR appears accurate in identifying negative results, and its sensitivity is similar to that of fungal culture.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Nov
pubmed:issn
1573-0832
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
170
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
345-51
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
The utility of Coccidioides polymerase chain reaction testing in the clinical setting.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Evaluation Studies