Open AccessUse of the polymerase chain reaction to detect DNA sequences specific to pathogenic treponemes in cerebrospinal fluid
Author(s) -
Hay Phillip E.,
Clarke John R.,
Strugnell Richard A.,
TaylorRobinson David,
Goldmeier David
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1990.tb13943.x
Subject(s) - treponema , syphilis , cerebrospinal fluid , polymerase chain reaction , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , gene , dna , virology , pathology , medicine , genetics , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
1. Summary The polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Treponema pallidum in specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as a means of diagnosing syphilis. Segments of the TmpA and 4D genes were amplified to provide an estimated threshold sensitivity of approximately 65 organisms in 0.5 ml. A spectrum of pathogens known to cause meningitis, and several non‐pathogenic treponemes were unreactive. Treponema pertenue , and only one of 30 control specimens of CSF were positive. In contrast, 10 of 19 CSFs from patients being evaluated for latent or tertiary syphilis were positive, as were 7 of 28 specimens from HIV‐positive patients.