Persistence of Bacterial DNA in Orthopaedic Infections

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been proposed as a method to identify bacteria in clinical samples because it is more sensitive than culture techniques and can produce results rapidly. However, PCR can detect DNA from dead cells and thus cannot distinguish between live and dead cells in a tissue sample. Killed Staphylococcus aureus cells were implanted into the femurs and knee joints of rats to determine the length of time that DNA from dead cells is detectable in a living animal under conditions similar to common orthopaedic infections.

Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 2, 2018 Category: Microbiology Authors: Heidi B. Kaplan, Justin A. Miranda, Gloria R. Gogola, Karen Gomez, Catherine G. Ambrose Source Type: research