Seventy phytoplasma isolates, including 10 previously characterized reference strains, of the aster yellows group were examined by RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified rDNA and RFLP and sequence analysis of the tuf gene. On the basis of rDNA restriction profiles, seven previously proposed 16S rDNA subgroups (16SrI-A, -B, -C, -D, -E, -F and -K) were recognized in the material examined. In addition, th...

BACKGROUND The bacterial flora involved in brain abscess is often complex. In a previous study, using a metagenomic approach based on 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) amplification, we demonstrated that the diversity of the microbial flora involved in these infections was underestimated. METHODS We performed a 16S rDNA-based metagenomic analysis of cerebral abscesses from patients diagnosed from 2006...

BACKGROUND Dental pulp is used for PCR-based detection of DNA derived from host and bacteremic microorganims. Current protocols require odontology expertise for proper recovery of the dental pulp. Dental pulp specimen exposed to laboratory environment yields contaminants detected using universal 16S rDNA-based detection of bacteria. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We developed a new protocol b...

BACKGROUND The study aimed to explore the sensitivity and specificity of a novel fast 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing assay for the improved diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with suspected native or prosthetic heart valve (HV) infection over a multi-year period at our cardiovascular center. METHODS Sixty-eight patients were prospectively enrolled who underwent HV replacement f...

Wolbachia are endosymbiont bacteria of the family Rickettsiacea that are widespread in invertebrates and occur between 20% and 60% of Neotropical insects. These bacteria are responsible for reproductive phenomena such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, male killing, feminization and parthenogenesis. Supergroups A and B of Wolbachia are common in insects and can be identified using primers for 16S ...

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an infection-induced systemic illness characterized by an aseptic inflammatory joint involvement and occurring in genetically predisposed patients with a bacterial infection localized in a distant organ or system. We evaluated the possible role of bacterial infection in the etiology of reactive arthritis by testing peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) for the presence ...

Leptospirosis, a disease with protean manifestations, is caused by Leptospira species complex. A definite diagnosis of leptospirosis during the first week of the illness is a major challenge to investigating clinical laboratories. PCR is a rapid, sensitive and specific means of diagnosing Leptospira infections in the early phase of the disease. In this study, the applicability of routine PCR as...